SAVANNAH, Ga. - The No. 11-ranked Armstrong Atlantic State University women's soccer squad scored three first-period goals en route to a 4-2 exhibition victory over visiting The Citadel on Thursday afternoon at the Armstrong Soccer Field.

The Pirates outshot the Bulldogs, 13-2, and found the back of the net three times in the first of three 30-minute periods played in the exhibition. The Citadel scored the second period's only goal, and both squads tallied a lone goal in the third 30-minute period.

Armstrong started the scoring in the first period as Kristina Pascutti slotted home a cross from Erin Holt in the 15th minute to put the Pirates up, 1-0. Holt then notched a goal of her own seven minutes later, off of assists from Danielle Fey and Emily Cattanach, for the 2-0 advantage.

Local product Mary Margaret Davis then thrilled the hometown crowd with a tally in the 28th minute, converting Erin O'Rourke's pass into a goal to give Armstrong the 3-0 advantage in the first period.

The second period saw the Pirates outshoot the Bulldogs, 5-2, but The Citadel got on the scoreboard thanks to the SoCon's reigining Player of the Year, Mariana Garcia, who scored in the 59th minute.

The two teams would go the next 28 minutes without a goal, but then each team scored once within a span of 18 seconds. The Citadel's Ruth Leiva notched a goal in the 87th minute, then Armstrong answered as Nettie Perkins put in a rebound off of Nadima Skeff's shot just 18 seconds later, also in the 87th minute. Armstrong enjoyed a 5-1 shot advantage in the third period.

The Pirates will open up the 2011 regular season on Friday, September 2, taking on Lynn at 11:00 a.m. in Lakeland, Fla.