LIVINGSTON, Ala. – University of West Alabama women's soccer held off a late surge from the University of Alabama at Huntsville to win 2-0 in its Gulf South Conference opener Sunday at Tiger Stadium.

West Alabama improves its win streak to four while rising to 4-1 overall; 1-0 in the GSC. Alabama Huntsville falls to 1-5 and 0-2.

The Tigers took an early 1-0 lead in with Nicola Gibson connecting to Lydia Sutcliffe in the 11^th minute. Still trailing late in the second half, UAH looked to answer the deficit by pulling goalkeeper Larae Breaux into the field.

UWA's defense stood tall under the added pressure, and with less than a minute left to play, Nicki Gears broke through to the opposing half of the pitch and solidified the win with her fourth goal of the season.  

"We knew it was going to be tough today with conditions being extremely warm," said UWA head women's soccer coach Graeme Orr.

"We train on it every day so we're used to and used it as an advantage. When you play a team as quality as UAH, they've got a lot of speed and athleticism that can punish you. Today we brought down the game well and the leaders on the field were stepping up and getting communication. The goal at the end was thoroughly deserved, and showed the passion that we have."

Sutcliffe's goal in the first half was her first of the season; 18^th career. Gibson's assist was her first of the year. Gears' ended 4-for-9 shots on goal. She extends as the program's leading scorer with 41 career goals.

UWA goalkeeper Issy Foster improved to 4-1 with two saves. Breaux dropped to 1-3 despite 11 saves.

The Tigers finished 14-for-25 shots on goal, while limiting the Chargers to 2-for-4.

West Alabama women's soccer will take to the road facing Georgia Southwestern Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. They return home to host Delta State on Friday at 5 p.m. in Tiger Stadium.  

"Georgia Southwestern is a tough non-conference game on the road to get ready for," Orr said. "Then we have two home games in conference next week. As I said to the ladies 'when you start home in the conference you have to use it as an advantage.' The last couple of years we started on the road so we have to use that home-field advantage."