Box Score CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Samford University soccer team opened its two-match Southern Conference road trip in stellar fashion Friday as the Bulldogs posted a 2-0 win against The Citadel Bulldogs in a critical league showdown held at WLI Field.
 
Samford (8-5-2, 5-0-2 SoCon) received goals from Ariane Lukens and Trine Taule, and cashed in on a brilliant shutout performance from sophomore goalkeeper Melissa Montgomery. The shutout was Montgomery's second of the season as the Bulldogs' native of Georgetown, Texas, tallied five crucial saves in the victory.
 
With Samford's win, the Bulldogs will remain in first place in the conference standings with 17 total points. Samford still has remaining matches against College of Charleston, UNCG, Elon and Chattanooga still looming in the regular season and will conclude this weekend's road trip Sunday at noon (CST) against College of Charleston.
 
The Citadel (4-9-1, 2-4-1 SoCon) continued its winless streak against Samford on Friday. With their 2-0 loss, the Cadets moved to 0-5-1 versus the Bulldogs in the all-time series between the teams.
 
Samford's game-winning goal was scored Friday by Lukens in the 30^th minute of play. The goal was her first as a Bulldog and was assisted by both Lindsey Hansen and Taule. A native of Arvada, Colo., Lukens transferred to Samford from South Carolina over the summer and has been listed in the Bulldogs' starting lineup in five of the team's last seven matches.
 
After taking a 1-0 lead into halftime, Samford came out in the second period and quickly tacked on its second score of the afternoon. At exactly 6:44 into the second half, the Bulldogs' Taule notched her fourth goal of the season to give Samford its decisive 2-0 lead.
 
Taule's score was the 15^th of her Samford career as she moved into sole possession of ninth place on the school's all-time goal-scoring list. Taule's second-half goal was assisted by senior defender Adrianne Mancino, her fourth of the season.
 
In a shootout Friday, the Bulldogs outshot The Citadel, 17-15. Samford's Taule led the way with five attempts, while the Cadets' Vanessa Aponte rattled off five attempts of her own. The Citadel outnumbered the Bulldogs in corner kicks, 7-4.
 
The Samford University soccer team will next be in action Sunday at noon (CDT) as the Bulldogs continue their tough conference road trip against the College of Charleston Cougars. Sunday's contest will be held at Patriots Point in Mount Pleasant, S.C.