Mary Baldwin forward Yeffy Hernandez scored his second goal of the season, fifth of his career, in the 89th minute of the USA South match Wednesday to lift the Fighting Squirrels to their first win of the season, a 1-0 decision over Greensboro at SMA Worth Field.

The win, MBU's first conference win under second-year head coach Felipe Juarez and the first since the 2021 campaign, lifts the Fighting Squirrels (1-11, 1-2 USA South) into sixth place in the conference standings.  Greensboro fell to 0-11 overall, 0-3 in the USA South.

In a spirited, emotional battle between two teams trying to stay in the hunt for a conference playoff berth, neither team could mount a consistent attack until the offenses picked up in the last third of the contest.  Greensboro, which outshot the hosts by an 8-7 margin, came close to taking the lead in the 85th minute but a goal was negated on an offside call.   

Minutes later, MBU freshman keeper Preston Bentley punted the ball the length of the field.  After several bounces between opposing players, Hernandez was able to tap the loose ball through the Greensboro defense for an unobstructed attempt.  The sophomore made no mistake to score the biggest goal of his MBU career with 1:49 left on the clock. 

The Fighting Squirrels' defense, led by strong 90-minute efforts by senior Stephen Blair, sophomore Brandon Kincaid and freshman Niyongabo Raphael, combined with freshman keeper Preston Bentley (six saves) to keep the Pride from mounting a counter attack and run out the clock.

MBU returns to action Saturday with a match at William Peace (2 p.m.), the first of two consecutive road games.  The Fighting Squirrels then travel to Southern Virginia Tuesday (10/17) before returning to their home turf in Staunton on Oct. 21 against Pfeiffer (2 p.m.).