PLAINVIEW, Texas — Wayland Baptist women's soccer opened Sooner Athletic Conference play in dramatic fashion Saturday afternoon, overcoming a pair of one-goal deficits to defeat Nelson University, 3-2, at J.V. Hilliard Field.

The victory improved the Pioneers to 4-3-1 overall and 1-0 in SAC play, while Nelson fell to 4-5 overall and 0-1 in conference action. Wayland scored twice over the final 18 minutes to complete the comeback.

Nelson struck first in the 23rd minute when Jaylene Bosquez found the back of the net to give the Lions a 1-0 advantage. Wayland responded before halftime, as Eduarda Martins delivered the equalizer in the 39th minute to send the teams into the break tied at 1-1.

The Lions regained the lead in the 67th minute on a goal from Samantha Delgado, putting the Pioneers in another one-goal hole with less than 25 minutes remaining.

Wayland's response came quickly.

Just under six minutes later, Tannia Diaz brought the Pioneers level for the second time. Erin Carr provided the assist on the 72nd-minute goal, making it 2-2 and setting the stage for a late winner.

With the match entering its final seven minutes, Talia Gisonni delivered the decisive strike. Gisonni scored in the 84th minute to give Wayland its first lead of the afternoon, 3-2. The Pioneers protected the advantage through the final whistle to secure their first conference victory of the season.

Wayland and Nelson each finished with 15 shots, while the Pioneers put 10 attempts on goal. Wayland also held a 7-3 advantage in corner kicks. Goalkeeper Ashley Lopez played all 90 minutes in net for the Pioneers and recorded nine saves.

Three different Pioneers accounted for Wayland's goals, with Martins, Diaz and Gisonni each finding the back of the net. Carr recorded the Pioneers' lone assist.

"I thought it was a really good team performance from start to finish," Head Coach Alex Castaneda said. "We showed a lot of character coming from behind twice and continuing to compete. Nelson made it difficult for us, but our response and mentality were excellent, especially in the final 20 minutes. We created opportunities, stayed composed, and found a way to get the winning goal.

"I'm really proud of the fight and belief this group showed today. It's a great way to start Sooner Athletic Conference play, and hopefully we can build on this performance moving forward."

The win gives the Pioneers an early 1-0 start in Sooner Athletic Conference play as Wayland looks to carry the momentum from Saturday's comeback into the remainder of its conference schedule.

Wayland returns to action Tuesday, Sept. 29, at 2 p.m. when the Pioneers take on the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (USAO).