COLUMBUS, Ga. – Fresh off its home opening win, the Queens University of Charlotte women's soccer team (3-1) took a two-goal lead into halftime and never wavered pitching its first shutout of the 2019 season defeating West Alabama (1-2) by a final score of 2-0 in the opening round of the Columbus State Collegiate Invitational.
 
After a back-and-forth start, Queens took control of the match behind freshman forward Nia Gaither's goal in the 17th minute to take a 1-0 lead. Gaither's day was far from over as she knocked in her second unassisted goal in the 35th minute guiding the Royals to a 2-0 lead before halftime.
 
Queens maintained its two-score lead the rest of the way behind its stifling defensive play limiting the Tigers to just one shot on goal.
 
The Royals held a 6-1 advantage in the shots on goal category and freshman goalkeeper Erica Turner recorded her first career shutout with a save in the 16th minute.
 
The Royals continue their Georgia trip on Sunday when they take on Clayton State in Morrow, Ga., at 1 p.m.