GREENEVILLE, Tenn. – Palm Beach Atlantic women's soccer kicked off the 2018 season in style on Friday with a solid all-round performance, beating University of Alabama in Huntsville 2-0. The Sailfish had a strong offensive and defensive outing, tallying 14 shots while limiting the Chargers to just two shots on goal.

The first half saw PBA dictate the pace of the game. The Sailfish mounted constant pressure in the midfield and contained the Charger offense from entering deep into Sailfish territory for most of the half. Kianna Magner nearly put PBA on the scoreboard in the 18th minute with a long distance header that drifted just over the crossbar.

Palm Beach Atlantic went ahead 1-0 in the 28th minute after a UAH own goal. Maddie McCarty's corner kick drifted into the front of the goal mouth where a Charger defender deflected the ball with her shoulder into the goal.

UAH entered the second half with urgency, leaving themselves vulnerable to the counterattack. The Sailfish capitalized in the 68th minute after Kylie Meola launched a deep ball to Thorkatla Halldorsdottir who then flicked a through ball to Ashley Swanson. Swanson buried the ball into the side netting and gave PBA the 2-0 lead.

Goalkeeper Jez Rubalcava was not called on often, but her two saves were enough for her to earn her first shutout as a Sailfish.

The Sailfish will return to action this weekend on Sunday, Sept. 1 as they face tournament host Tusculum for a 12:30 p.m. game.