Radford, Va. -- Radford University (8-1) extended their winning streak to six with a 3-1 win over future Big South opponent Birmingham Southern (1-10-1) in women's soccer action from Patrick D. Cupp Memorial Stadium. The victory ties them for second best start in school history with the 1997 team and behind a 1993 team that started 10-0.

The Highlanders would get on the board at 19:18 on senior Sarah Wicichowski's (Rice, Va./Clover Hill) first goal of the season. She settled a long cross from freshman Rachel Heberer (Woodbridge, Va./Woodbridge) and put the ball top shelf far post from just inside the 16-yard box. The Panther would get a couple of great chances to knot the score, but Jeris Burn hit the crossbar and two minutes later Ashley Welsch hit the far side post.

RU would make it 2-0 with 1:43 left in the half when senior Jevne Reid (Columbia, Md./Howard) took a midfield header from senior Kelly Bertwell (Upper Marlboro, Md./Saint Mary's) and beat Panther keeper Tally Ewing one-on-one for her fifth goal, a new single-season high.

BSC cut the lead in half just 1:30 into second frame when Burns found Welch all alone in front of RU keeper junior Samantha Woods (Boones Mill, Va./Franklin County). Sophomore Nikki Porter (Maryville, Tenn./Maryville) found the back of net from five yards out with 31 seconds left to close out the scoring. Freshman Sarah Rutherford (Glen Allen, Va./J.R. Tucker) found her with a short cross inside the box, giving Porter her team leading seventh goal.

The Highlanders out shot the Panthers 15-9, while each team had a pair of corners. Woods made three saves, while Ewing stopped four shots for the Panthers.

Radford will host Big South foe High Point during homecoming weekend on Saturday, Oct. 12 at 2 p.m.

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