COLUMBUS – The Capital University women's soccer team showed mettle and grit in its 2013 home opener Friday evening, tallying twice in the last 15 minutes of play to defeat Berry (Ga.) 3-1 on the first day of the Fort Rapids Invitational at Bernlohr Stadium.

Freshman Becca Cartmill (Temecula, Calif.) posted one goal and one assist, including the game-winner in the 78th minute, to lead the Crusaders (1-1-1 overall). Cartmill rebounded a deflection and, with the Vikings' keeper down after a collision with freshman Monique Hanayik (Sidney, Ohio), fired a shot from 30 yards into the open net.

"Becca had terrific awareness on her goal," Capital coach Chris Kouns said. "You love to see that out of a freshman, making an impact right away."

Following Cartmill's first tally of her career, senior Hilary Ells (Grandview Heights, Ohio) found the back of the net in the 83rd minute, taking a great feed from Hanayik and finishing past the keeper to double the Capital advantage.

"I thought Monique had a really good effort," Kouns said. "It was Monique who bothered the goalkeeper on Becca's finish, and then again when she took on two players to set up Hilary's goal."

Ells' second goal of the year proved too much for Berry (2-1) to overcome.

The Crusaders struck first in the ninth minute as Cartmill, playing a long ball down the right side, placed a perfect cross to open space in the middle. The ball was chased down by sophomore Mariah Richards (Canton, Ohio), who sprinted from the back end to finish in the low right corner.

"I thought we came out well," Kouns said. "We controlled the pace and we controlled the speed of play. We scored a well-deserved goal. It was a great play by Becca."

The Vikings leveled the match in the 54th minute and continued their momentum in the second half, until a couple of Capital corner kicks forced things back in the home team's favor.

"We let our foot off the gas a little bit and I think our organization got away from us," Kouns said. "I thought (senior) Corey McClellan's communication and leadership in the midfield helped calm us back down. When we combined Becca and Corey in the midfield, I think that helped us take back control of the game."

Senior goalkeeper Maggie Donnellan (Cincinnati, Ohio) picked up the win, totaling four saves in the affair.

Berry held an 11-8 advantage in shots and a 7-3 edge in corner kicks.

The Crusaders return to play Sunday on the second day of the Fort Rapids Invitational against Shenandoah (Va.). Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m., or approximately 30 minutes following the conclusion of the Berry-Denison match.

"We had a lot of different contributors tonight," Kouns said. "As we go through the season, what's been neat for me so far is we've seen lots of people contribute in all three games. If we're going to be successful, we have to continue to develop that way."