CHARLESTON, S.C. - Gina Thomas scored the go-ahead goal in the 84th minute, sliding in to intercept the clearance pass and slipping into the left corner of the net as Charleston Southern defeated visiting UNC Asheville on Saturday afternoon at the CSU Soccer Field, 3-2.

Thomas' goal came at the 83:21 mark in the contest, breaking a 2-2 tie to give the Bucs their first Big South win of the 2014 season. The senior midfielder intercepted the attempt from Asheville goalkeeper Heather Muller near the top of the box and put her shot in from 18 yards, giving CSU the lead for good as the Bucs held off the Bulldogs for the win.

"I thought the attack really showed some signs of life today," said CSU head coach Eric Terrill. "Anna (Sells) and Jordan (Newman), it was good to get them back into rhythm today. And when it came time for it, our seniors stepped up and that was a huge goal by Gina Thomas today. That's what you expect from your seniors, for them to step up and make plays."

Anna Sells scored her team-leading seventh goal of the game, while freshman forward Jordan Newman gave the Bucs a 2-1 first half lead with her second collegiate goal of the season in the 38th minute to pace the CSU offense in the game.

"Our defensive didn't really play at the level they have been," commented Terrill. "But they are the reason we've been in games lately. We talked to them at half about playing more together, and they really did a much better job in the second half."

Caitlin Cody improved to 1-0-1 overall in goal for the Bucs on the season in her second start, turning away five shots in the victory. Muller took the loss for Asheville in the contest, allowing all three goals while making four saves.

"It was a great win to take at home in front of our home fans," Terrill said. "We've got a great atmosphere and our parents show up and are loud, and they just really encourage the girls to keep pushing and fighting. They are the reason we've been so successful at home the last few years, and it's huge for us to get that win."

CSU improves to 5-6-1 overall, 1-2-1 in Big South play with the win, while Asheville falls to 6-6-1, 1-2-1 in conference play with the loss.

After a slow first 25 minutes, Asheville was the first team on the scoreboard as Caroline Houser connected on the header at the 26:08 mark to give the Bulldogs the 1-0 lead. Paige Trent dribbled the ball up the right goal line before lofting a pass in front of the net. Houser out-fought the CSU defender and placed the header inside the right post to give Asheville the 1-0 lead.

Sells answered for the Bucs seven minutes later as the sophomore forward collected the clearance pass from Tori Wright at midfield. Sells split the Asheville defenders and advanced the ball all the way into the box before finishing with her left foot at the 33:50 mark to even the match up at 1-1.

Newman followed less than five minutes later with her second goal of the season, taking the pass from Erica Gazzani on the right side of the box. The Swartz Creek, Mich. native took one dribble before uncorking a shot that slid past Muller and into the bottom left corner of the net to give the Bucs the 2-1 lead at the 37:25 mark.

Asheville responded shortly before the break as Amanda Dailor split the CSU defense and carried the ball up the field before finding Trent inside the box. Trent finished past Cody at the 41:48 mark to send the match into the halftime break tied 2-2.

CSU outshot Asheville 10-5 in the second half, with Thomas putting in the final tally on the scoreboard at the 83:21 mark. CSU held control of the ball the remainder of the way in preventing the Asheville tying attempt.

Charleston Southern remains at home next week as the Bucs host Campbell on Wednesday afternoon at the CSU Soccer Field. Kickoff between the Bucs and the Camels is set for 3 p.m.