CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Twenty-two players saw the field, utilizing the strong bench crafted form solid recruiting over the years, and Charlotte overcame an early deficit to hold off Marshall 3-2 Sunday afternoon in Conference USA women’s soccer action. The victory, the 49ers’ fourth-in-a-row and sixth in their last seven games, kept the Niners atop the league standings with an unbeaten record that also mirrors the team’s performance at Transamerica Field, this fall.

For the first time since the lone setback in the current dominant stretch at ECU, Sept. 9, Charlotte (8-3, 4-0 C-USA) found itself trailing 1-0 as the Thundering Herd struck first on their first shot. Jayne Lawman intercepted a 49ers pass in the defensive third and fired an attempt to the far post, past goalie Abby Stapleton to give the visitors a 1-0 cushion at 1:15. It was the earliest score for either team all season.

While Marshall (5-5-2, 3-2 C-USA) struck first, it was the Niners who responded with an offensive attack. The 49ers quickly reversed field and played on their half the majority of the first period, outshooting the Herd 13-2 by the break.

Charlotte found the equalizer in the ninth minute as junior Sophie Sipprell one-touched a short pass to classmate Julia Grainda near the penalty spot, who then buried her low shot behind netminder Megan Bonelli at the 8:41 mark to even the board at 1-1.

The large shots advantage was built upon multiple attempts in a short period of time, including a flurry in the 18th minute. A Riley Orr corner kick landed inside the box, creating a chance for the Niners. Grainda’s first shot hit the crossbar and Abby Taylor followed with an attempt turned away by the Marshall defensive backline. Two quick chances in a row from freshman Michaella Arteta in the 28th minute was another opportunity for the 49ers to find the go-ahead strike. Lastly, in the 43rd minute, Megan Greene placed a header on frame only to have Bonelli collect it into her gloves.

While Charlotte was unable to inch ahead in the opening 45 minutes, it did not take long for that to happen after intermission. Sipprell played a through ball ahead to Greene, whose shot was turned away by Bonelli. Awaiting the rebound was Grainda, who wasted no time putting home her second score of the contest at 47:25 into the open net for a 2-1 edge.

Again, the 49ers found themselves controlling much of the possession with several more looks during the second half. However, they launched the shots either wide or high, keeping the score at 2-1. Greene had what appeared to be a good look in the 80th minute, but again, the Herd defense stymied the chance.

In the 83rd minute, Charlotte forced a foul to be called on the Marshall defense inside the penalty box, setting up a penalty kick situation. Greene toed the spot and drained her attempt, raising her season goals total to seven and increasing the game score to 3-1 at 82:35. Greene now has 27 career goals, tying her with Meredith Mayo (1997-2000) and Nikki Labuda-Czaplicki (2004-08) for eighth on the program’s all-time list.

As more bench players stepped onto the field late, a lapse allowed Marshall to sneak in a late goal. Marah abu-Tayeh, the Herd’s leading scorer, raced down the right side and sent a shot towards the frame, which ricocheted off the right post. She pounced on her own rebound and put it in, behind Stapleton, to close the margin to one, 3-2, at 87:36. It was the only scoring chance Marshall had the entire second period.

Charlotte remains in a first-place tie in the Conference USA standings with Florida Atlantic as both teams are 4-0-0 through the weekend. The last time the Niners opened 4-0 in league play was 2012 during the program’s last season in the Atlantic 10.

The 49ers are also 6-0 at Transamerica Field, this fall, equaling the number of home victories from a season ago. It is the team’s best start at home since 2008 when it finished the slate a perfect 9-0-0 on the familiar turf.

Charlotte hits the road next weekend for a pair of pivotal league matchups, starting at 5 p.m. Friday in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, against Southern Miss. The swing concludes at 2 p.m. Sunday at Middle Tennessee in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

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