Greeneville, Tenn. - The eighth-ranked Lenoir-Rhyne University Women's Soccer Team (1-0) defeated Georgia College (0-1), 2-1, in the 2011 season opener Friday evening at the Tusculum Kickoff Classic.

L-R got on the board first in the 27th minute when junior midfielder Carley Griffin (Fresno, Calif.) scored from 12 yards out.

Senior?forward Laura Linehan?(San Diego, Calif.) gave the Bears a 2-0 advantage at the 33:43 mark of the first half when she connected on a 10-yard shot to the near post.? Junior All-American midfielder Elizabeth Hawes (Valdese, N.C.) was credited with the assist.? Linehan also assisted on the Bears' first goal of the match.

The Bobcats cut the lead in half just 12 seconds before intermission when Taylor Yee (Johns Creek, Ga.) finished off a deflected free kick.

The second half was scoreless as the Bears held on for the victory over the Bobcats.

L-R senior Caitlin Scruggs (Torrance, Calif.) picked up the win in goal for the Bears after stopping four shots while allowing just one score.? The Bobcats goalkeeper, Annie Stephens (Fayetteville, Ga.), suffered the loss.

Lenoir-Rhyne remains on the road Tuesday when it travels to Misenheimer, N.C., to take on Pfeiffer beginning at 4:30 p.m.? Georgia College plays Southern Indiana Sunday on the final day of the tournament at 2 p.m.

Lenoir-Rhyne then?faces fifth-ranked Florida Tech, an NCAA Division II National Semifinalist last season, in its home opener next Friday night?at the Moretz Sports - Athletic Complex beginning at 7 p.m.