CHARLESTON, SC – A strong second half showing by the Hampton Lady Pirates fell short in the 2017 season opener as they dropped a 5-3 decision at Citadel on Friday afternoon.

The hosts scored first three minutes into the game on a Caroline Cashion blast and then put two goals in the span of a minute by Hannah Roth and Rowan Brooks to take a 3-0 lead.   Citadel kept Hampton to one shot on goal in the first half, but the second stanza saw the Lady Pirates pepper the cage.

Hampton started its flurry four minutes into the half as Leslie Jaiyesmi corralled a deflection off the cross bar and put in the rebound to put Hampton on the board down 3-1.  Following a Citadel goal by Maria Contreras, Ayana Garvin got Hampton back on the board as she put one in the lower right corner after a deflection off a Citadel player to trail 4-2 at the 66-minute mark.

Logan Dix put Citadel up 5-2 with a shot into the upper right corner at the 79-minute mark, but Hampton struck again as Michelle Zilberman was awarded a penalty kick and she scored with five minutes left.

Hampton will hit the HU Soccer Complex for the home opener on Monday afternoon at 4 pm hosting VMI.

For more information on Hampton University women's soccer, please contact the Office of Sports Information at 757-727-5757 or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com.