BALDWIN CITY, Kan. – The University of Saint Mary women's soccer team faced one of the HAAC's toughest teams, in Baker University Saturday night. The Spires hung with the Wildcats in the first half, but a goal by the Wildcats in the 65th minute was enough for Baker to win.

Saint Mary is 0-1 overall, while Baker is 1-0 to start the year.

GAMEFLOW
The two teams played a tight first half with neither team finding the net. The first shot wasn't taken until the eighth minute when Megan McMillen sent a ball just wide of the net. The Spires had one of their best opportunities of the game when Justine Brown slipped her way behind the defense and took a shot from within 10 yards. The ball found the net, but she was ruled offside in the process to keep the game scoreless.

Baker also had opportunities early, but the goalkeeping of Emilie Korenek held the Wildcats scoreless in the first 45 minutes.

The first 20 minutes of the second half would expire before the first goal of the game. Baker's Jenna Lattimer took a shot from 15 yards out and snuck the ball high in the left post, to give Baker a 1-0 lead.

Saint Mary made one final charge in the last three minutes, but were unable to connect. The spires narrowly fell in the end.

KEY STATISTICS

• Saint Mary recorded seven shots in the game, led by three from Brown.
• Korenek and Lauryn Airy combined for 12 saves in the match.
• Baker had 25 total shots with Lattimer totaling 10.

HEAD COACH JUSTIN SEEVERS QUOTES

"I was definitely proud of the effort and it looked like we were in midseason form. Baker is a good team and they will push in the Heart. It was a good motivation for the girls and it showed us we can compete.

"We're just starting to get combinations together and we hope some of the opportunities from tonight will keep coming. Attitudes were very positive after the game and the potential is high. We want to get the reserves a bigger role and we have the number two ranked team in the country coming up next."

WHATS AHEAD FOR THE SPIRES

The Spires will indeed host the nationally second-ranked Benedictine College Ravens on Sept. 5 at Berkel Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m.