<p><span>TOLEDO, Ohio -- In their first contest of the 2012 season, the Belmont women's soccer team (1-0) came from behind to defeat 2011 NCAA Tournament participant Toledo (0-2), 2-1, on Sunday afternoon. &nbsp;It was the first meeting between the programs and marked the first win for any Belmont team as a member of the Ohio Valley Conference.</span></p> <p><span>The Rockets opened the contest aggressively and managed to score in the first five minutes of the contest but the Bruins were able to quickly recover and settle. &nbsp;Junior<a href="http://www.belmontbruins.com/sports/w-soccer/2012-13/bios/berner%20nicole%208295">Nicole Berner</a>&nbsp;(Randolph, N.J.) successfully defended the BU net before newcomer<span>&nbsp;</span><a href="http://www.belmontbruins.com/sports/w-soccer/2012-13/bios/proud%20katie%20ox6r">Katie Proud</a><span>&nbsp;</span>(Knoxville, Tenn.) scored the neutralizer in the 21st minute with an assist from senior&nbsp;<a href="http://www.belmontbruins.com/sports/w-soccer/2012-13/bios/rock%20megan%203ptc">Megan Rock</a>&nbsp;(Madison, Miss.). &nbsp;The Bruins were able to keep fresh legs on the field for the remainder of the half to aid in their battle for control as the teams headed into halftime locked in a 1-1 stalemate.</span></p> <p><span>After the break, Toledo returned to its aggressive ways of the first stanza. &nbsp;However, the Bruins were able to dig in their defensive heels and hold off the attacks. &nbsp;Finally, senior Spencer<span>&nbsp;Laufer&nbsp;</span>(Houston, Texas) was able to find the back of the net in the 70th minute for the gamewinner unassisted.</span></p> <p><span>The teams traded shots for the remainder of regulation but BU was able to hold on for the 2-1 victory over the Rockets.</span></p> <p><span>Toledo held the advantage in shots, 15-4, and corner kicks, 6-1. &nbsp;</span></p> <p><span>Laufer, junior&nbsp;<a href="http://www.belmontbruins.com/sports/w-soccer/2012-13/bios/elmore%20kim%202qy7">Kim Elmore</a>&nbsp;(Salem, Va.), and sophomore&nbsp;<a href="http://www.belmontbruins.com/sports/w-soccer/2012-13/bios/schmidt%20rachel%206h91">Rachel Schmidt</a>&nbsp;(Dallas, Texas) each recorded shots during the contest.</span></p> <p><span>Berner went the distance between the posts, earning her first win of the season and finishing with five saves.</span></p> <p><span>"Toledo is a great team and we appreciated the opportunity to play them today. &nbsp;They are a first-class program," said Head Coach Heather Henson.&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span>"Today we had to stick to our defensive plan to come away with the win. &nbsp;Nicole did a great job in goal, facing so many shots in the first half. &nbsp;We were outshot but we stayed composed and stuck to our plan. &nbsp;We knew Toledo was going to come out and challenge us immediately. I am extremely proud of our effort today."</span></p> <p><span>Belmont returns to action on Friday, August 24. &nbsp;The Bruins host Union for their first home matchup at E.S. Rose Park. &nbsp;Match time is set for 4 p.m. &nbsp;Live stats and a Twitter feed (@BelmontWSoccer) will be available.</span></p>