LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Wright State women's soccer program kicked off the 2022 season with a 2-1 victory over Bellarmine on Thursday night at Frazier Stadium. 

Wright State (1-0) overcame an early opening-half deficit with two unanswered goals to claim the season-opening win. Olga Massombo netted the first goal of the season for the Raiders in the 39th minute, while Michelle Rings connected on the game-winning goal off a free kick with just 10 minutes left in the non-conference contest. 

Amber Branum and Kaylin Helinski contributed with assists on Massombo's goal, which came off WSU's first corner kick of the match. Goalkeeper Jessika Seward finished with two saves in the winning effort. 

The Raiders outshot Bellarmine (0-1) 10-9, including four shots on goal. Lauren Borchert and Massombo shared the team lead in shots with two apiece. 

Both defenses were in control early on with just one combined shot in the first 10 minutes of action. However, Bellarmine's Alexa Orozco delivered a strike to the back of the net in the 11th minute. 

Wright State came close to tying the match with a shot on goal by Borchert at the 22-minute mark, but goalkeeper Cambria Kingman corralled the save to keep the Raiders off the scoreboard. WSU continued to attack offensively, with Josie Krupp tallying a shot wide right of the goal in the 27th minute. 

The Raiders consistent pressure paid off in the 39th minute, as Massombo tied the match with her first goal of the season off a corner kick delivered by Olivia Mace. 

Coming out of the break tied 1-1, Bellarmine threatened to take back the lead by rattling off five shots in the opening 20 minutes. However, Wright State kept the Knights scoreless, which included one save by Seward. 

The Raiders were plagued by four offside calls in the second half but finally broke through in the 79th minute thanks to a free-kick goal by Rings. 

WSU held off the Knights for the remainder of the match, not allowing any shots in the process. 

The Raiders starting lineup included a pair of freshmen in Mariella Hartmann and Kaylee Pham. Newcomers Alana Nesbit, Elise Canter, and Branum logged their first-ever collegiate minutes off the bench for the Raiders. 

Wright State will stay on the road for a non-conference contest at Dayton on Sunday, August 21. The rivalry match will start at 6 p.m. and air on ESPN+.