The South Region season officially kicked off last Thursday with expansion club Asheville City SC hosting Carolina Lady Dynamo.

Asheville jumped on the board early with goals from Molly Dwyer in the 4th and 15th minutes. In the second half, the home side continued to pile on goals, with Sarah Jacobs, Parker Roberts, Megan McCallister and Lauren Cantin all scoring en route to a 6-0 win.

On Friday, Emerald Force hosted the Memphis Lobos in the first Southeast Conference match of the season. The Force needed only four minutes to take the lead with a Eva Mitchell goal and doubled the lead four minutes into the second half as Magda Mosengo added what would be the final goal of the match.

Saturday’s action began with the Nashville Rhythm hosting the Memphis Lobos in its season opener, and Nashville’s momentum carried the club to a dominant 5-1 win.

The Carolina Rapids held strong against Beaufort County FC in the second Saturday match, winning 4-2 on the road to open their 2018 campaign.

Reigning conference champion Charleston Fleet FC hosted Asheville City FC but were shut out by the WPSL newcomers. Asheville’s Jennifer Cudjoe scored her first WPSL goal in the 6th minute, followed by Dwyer with her third of the season in the 23rd and McCallister with her second WPSL goal in the 32nd. Asheville goalkeeper Carrie Revlett kept the clean sheet after saving a penalty kick late in the second half.

Carolina Lady Dynamo’s home opener against LNSC Eclipse was postponed. The rescheduled date and time have yet to be announced.

Discoveries SC made their WPSL debut hosting Oak City United FC. Oak City United opened the scoring with a goal from Michelle Kasold in the 25th minute on a Claire Griffiths assist. Griffiths pick up a goal of her own in the 40th off a corner kick. Three minutes into the second half, Oak City United made it 3-0 with Kasold’s second of the afternoon. In the 53rd minute, Discoveries’ keeper made an impressive save on a penalty kick, and Discoveries finally scored their first WPSL goal thanks to Cierra Feaster in the 62nd minute. Oak City United secured the win with a fourth goal in the 87th minute from Madison Hoopes.

The first of four Sunday matches saw Charleston Fleet FC host Carolina Rapids. Carolina came away with a 2-1 win on the road thanks to goals from Samuelle Grove and Jovana Sanchez.

Oak City United made it two wins in two days, winning its home opener against LNSC Eclipse 2-1. Paige Griffiths and Melissa Fernandez both scored their first goals of the WPSL season.

Chattanooga FC hosted Emerald Force for its first regular season match. In the 8th minute, Ashleigh Cade gave Chattanooga the lead with a long-range strike. Cass Wade doubled the lead with a goal in the 64th, the final of the match. Emerald Force had a player receive a straight red card in added time. 

Finally, Nashville Rhythm hosted Peachtree City MOBA in the final WPSL match of the weekend. Allison Hale scored Peachtree City’s first WPSL goal in the 9th minute, which Nashville's Olivia Doak answered in the 17th minute. Peachtree City took the lead again in the 25th minute with a Megan Hudgens goal. Nashville scored in the 83rd minute with a Julie Garst goal to end the match 2-2. 

South Region action continues Friday with Pensacola FC hosting Alabama FC in the Gulf Conference opener, and Saturday, May 26, with Mississippi Blues Soccer Club hosting Baton Rouge United in a match between two expansion new clubs.