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CLEVELAND, Ga. – A tenth minute first-career goal by Agathe Braud proved to be the difference for Truett McConnell women's soccer (1-0) in a 1-0 shutout win over SCAD-Savannah (0-1).
 
The freshman, after receiving a pass from Isabelle Allen, drove the ball past the keeper into the right side of the net to break the scoreless tie early. Allen also received her first assist of the year.
 
"I wanted to score in the first game and now it's done," Braud said. "Now I just need to focus on the next day."
 
The Lady Bears win their third consecutive season opener, a streak that dates to the 2024 season. It is also the first win vs. the Bees, evening the series at 1-1 since 2013.
 
"We knew before that this would be a tough match," Head Coach David McDowell said. "The girls were able to stick together and grind out a positive result."
 
Truett produced 11 total shots in the match with five shots on goal while SCAD powered five shots with four on target. The home team had the advantage in corner kicks (3-1), but both teams had an equal number of saves with four each.
 
The Bees forced early pressure with a shot on goal in the third minute, but a save by Leire Rodriguez Najera kept the score at 0-0. The Lady Bears took the lead 9:49 in with the goal by Braud.
 
"That first goal was able to set the tone," McDowell said. "It gives us a spark and puts the other team under pressure."
 
Over the next 15 minutes of play, TMU produced four total shots with three shots on target, but SCAD was able to keep the margin at a single goal with three saves. A combined one shot for the remainder of the half resulted in a 1-0 score at halftime.
 
The Lady Bears again put pressure early in the second half with two shots, one which was saved and the other blocked. The Bees turned the tables and put forward two shots of their own, both of which were saved by goalkeeper Noa del Rio, who entered the game in the second half.
 
Del Rio played a pivotal role in the shutout, making three total second half saves. TMU forced just one more shot in the match and secured the opening victory.
 
Isabella Hodson led the team in total shots with three on the day, while Braud produced two more, both being on goal. Salome Deneubourg produced a shot while playing on the defense for the full 90 minutes.
 
Truett McConnell hosts a scrimmage vs. Southern Wesleyan before taking the road to Williamsburg, Ky. for a top-ten matchup against No. 2 University of the Cumberlands on Aug. 27 at 1 p.m.