BRISTOL, Tenn. – The King women’s soccer team opened its 2013 home schedule with a hard fought contest against visiting Bluefield College, falling 2-1 on an overtime header by the Rams.

The winning goal came in the fourth minute of the overtime period. Bluefield’s Missy Baines sent a corner kick into the box that was deflected, and then headed past goalkeeper Nicole Dagher for a golden goal.

The Tornado (0-2) pressured Bluefield (3-0) all afternoon, totaling 14 shots and forcing Rams’ stopper Kayla Richardson to make four saves. The first and last ten minutes of each half were played almost entirely in the Bluefield defensive half of the field. King was able to create chances but was unable to connect on crosses and find the back of the net.

Rayna Spears started the game with a bang for the Tornado, netting a goal just 43 seconds into the contest. Lindsay Curtis sent a cross into the box and Spears fired a shot from six yards out on the right side that found the back of the net. It was the first-ever goal in the sophomore’s King career.

The Rams’ equalizer came in the 76th minute. Baines guided a corner kick into the box, where it found the head of teammate Nina Cundiff and was redirected into the back of the net.

The goal would have given Bluefield the lead had King’s Dagher not made a spectacular save four minutes earlier. Summer Rigney broke free in the penalty area and unleashed a shot headed for the far post. But Dagher broke to her left and dove, deflecting the shot away from the goal to preserve the lead.

Despite being outscored by the Rams, King amassed 14 shots to Bluefield’s seven and held an 8-5 advantage in corner kicks. Curtis dished out her first career assist in her second game in a King uniform.

The Tornado return home on Wednesday to face Concord University. The game will begin at 2:00 p.m., with the men’s team slated to play Tusculum College at 4:00 p.m.

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