CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Women's soccer rallied to defeat Central Arkansas in its lone exhibition match of the preseason Friday evening, 3-2.
 
The Redhawks carried a 1-0 lead into halftime but fell behind early in the second half, 2-1. A pair of goals in the final 17 minutes put SEMO back on top en route to the victory.
 
All but four of SEMO's 24 roster players saw minutes in the exhibition match, including eight newcomers to the roster this season.
 
Sophomore Jennifer Brien led the squad with three shots in the game and scored the tying goal in the 74^th minute. As a team, Southeast outshot the Bears 9-7, putting six shots on goal.
 
Shelby Beussink put the Redhawks on the board in the 27^th minute of the contest. Esmie Gonzales threaded a pass up the middle to Beussink who got it past a diving keeper and square into the center of the net.
 
The 1-0 score held the remainder of the opening half. The Redhawks were the leaders in shots by two, 6-4. SEMO also led 4-3 in shots on goal. Southeast had three corner kick opportunities in the first 45.
 
Kindra Lierz recorded a trio of saves while Anna Hughes (30 minutes) and Lauren Mercuri (15) combined for three in goal for UCA. Hughes was the keeper who allowed Beussink's 27^th-minute goal.
 
Southeast made a change in goal coming out of halftime in favor of redshirt-freshman Maddie Gleeson.
 
UCA netted a pair of goals less than two minutes apart to take a 2-1 lead on the Redhawks. Camille Bassett scored an unassisted goal in the 49^th minute followed by a score from Autum Schwartz in the 51^st.
 
Brien knotted the contest back up in the 74^th minute. She dribbled her way through the left side of the box and fired from close range into the center of the goal.
 
With six minutes left on the clock, Gonzales picked up an unassisted goal of her own when she cut into the left side of the box and drilled a shot into the center of the net to put the Redhawks back out in front, 3-2.
 
The Redhawk defense was able to ward off any further Bear attacks to secure the win.
 
Gonzales and Beussink each had two shots, putting both on goal.
 
Southeast will set its sights on the 2017 season opener next Friday at Evansville. Kickoff in Evansville, Indiana is set for 7 p.m. The Redhawks will then open the home schedule Sunday, Aug. 20 against Illinois Springfield.