Raleigh, N.C. - Junior Maggie Rankin tallied a pair of goals, including the gamewinner, to lead her Battling Bishop women's soccer team to a 5-1 USA South victory at William Peace University on Wednesday evening. The win comes on the heels of a tough 1-0 loss at league foe Meredith College on Tuesday.

It took the Bishops just 26 seconds to get on the board at WPU as junior Jordan Forbess booted home a cross from senior Ella Burkhart in the opening minute. Rankin made it 2-0 in the 23rd minute with an unassisted score inside the six, and freshman Cydney Nichols promptly added her first goal of the night just over a minute later with a solo drive up the middle. Rankin (28') and Nichols (39') each struck again with unassisted scores before the break to give Wesleyan a 5-0 lead at intermission.

With a comfortable lead, head coach Beverly Biancur was able to get all of her players time on the pitch in the second half. The Pacers managed one score late in the match, setting up the 5-1 final.

Goalies Alicia Jacobs, Cassie Sullivan, and Kimberly Lamm split time in goal for the Bishops, with Jacobs making one save. As a team, NCWC out-shot WPU 25-4 on the day and held a 9-0 advantage in corners.

Previously on Tuesday, Wesleyan suffered a tough 1-0 defeat at Meredith in a physical match that featured 33 fouls. The Angels netted the only goal of the match in the 42nd minute, and although the Bishops would out-shoot MC 16-11 on the night, keeper Jaisa Loch would notch eight saves to preserve the shutout. NCWC keeper Ashley Major was nearly equal to the task, making seven saves in net. The one-goal loss was Wesleyan's seventh of the season.

The Bishops wrap up USA South play with a 3-4 record and will await seeding for the 2017 USA South Conference Tournament that begins next Wednesday, October 25th. Next up, however, are their final regular season matches over the weekend at Scalf Field. Wesleyan hosts Pfeiffer University on Saturday at 4:00pm before taking on Johnson & Wales on Sunday at 2:00pm. Sunday will also serve a Senior Day.