WEST POINT, Ga. — CIU opened its 2026 women's soccer season in convincing fashion Thursday, scoring three unanswered goals to defeat Point University 3-0.
CIU (1-0-0) controlled the match from the opening whistle and received goals from Lily Vengelis, Lucy Jackson and Olivia Hazel to secure the shutout victory.
Lily Vengelis scored CIU's first goal in the 39th minute, with Lucy Jackson providing the assist. Vengelis' goal gave the Rams a 1-0 lead heading into halftime.Jackson added a goal 1:12 into the second half, assisted by Lohrane Boaventura, to increase CIU's lead to 2-0.
Hazel added the final goal in the 52nd minute, putting CIU ahead 3-0 and providing more than enough offense for the Rams to close out the season-opening victory. CIU's offense finished with eight shots, putting five on target, while its defense limited Point to two shots in the second half after allowing eight in the opening period.
Goalkeeper Hailey Resetar anchored the defensive effort, making all six saves she faced to earn the shutout. Resetar made four saves in the first half as Point tested the Rams' defense early, then added two more stops after halftime.
As a unit the Rams' defense held firm throughout the second half, allowing Resetar to preserve the clean sheet as the Rams pulled away.
The Rams will stay in West Point, Ga., and return to action Saturday, Aug. 29, in a neutral-site match with Faulkner University.
