GREENEVILLE, Tenn. — The Lady Railsplitters’ season was brought to a close on Wednesday evening, as the LMU women’s soccer team fell to the Tusculum Pioneers by a margin of 2-0 in the opening round of the 2012 Food Lion South Atlantic Conference Soccer Tournament. The Lady ‘Splitters end the year with a 7-7-2 overall mark, while the Pioneers move to 12-3-2 on the season and advance to the semifinals of the league tournament, slated to be held in Rock Hill, S.C. Friday.

The Pioneers were led to victory by goals from Alisha Pugh and Amy Neltner. Pugh struck the opening blow for Tusculum with a score at the 14:00 mark, using a dish from Taylor Lewis to grab an early 1-0 advantage. For Pugh, that goal came as her fourth score of the season.

Coming directly out of the break, Neltner extend the Pioneers’ lead with a score at the 46:38 mark. Neltner received a long pass down the right side, cut into the middle and notched the score to put TC out to a commanding 2-0 lead.

The Lady Railsplitters tallied ten shots in the contest and three shots on goal overall. Their two best scoring opportunities came in the first half, as Rachael Vienneau fired a shot at the 16:59 mark followed closely by another attempt on goal from Olivia Thompson at the 24:34 mark. Each of those attempts were stymied by the Pioneer keeper to hold the shutout intact.

Thompson led Lincoln Memorial with three shots in the match.

Kayla Stephens played admirably in goal for the Lady Railsplitters, notching six saves in 90 minutes of action. Marissa Williams matched that effort in goal for the Pioneers with three saves in 90 minutes of play.

With the loss, the Lady Railsplitters’ season is brought to a halt, as they will regroup and begin preparations for the 2013 campaign.