HOUSTON, Texas. --- The University of North Dakota women's soccer team was edged 2-1 in a rematch of last season's Great West Conference Tournament championship game tonight at Sorrels Field against Houston Baptist.
"We put pressure on them all game especially in the last 15 minutes," head coach Kristen Gay said. "We just need to finish and we have one more regular season game to take care of that."
The Sioux drop to 4-8-3 and 1-3-1 in conference play while the Huskies improve to 7-8-1 and 2-1-1 in the GWC.
Houston Baptist got out to a quick start as the Huskies jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the ninth minute. Molly Missimer was able to send a floater over UND goalkeeper Kristi Hestdalen (Pierre, S.D.).
The Sioux answered as junior Rhaya Ballon (Rogers, Minn.) connected for an unassisted goal that went just under the crossbar at 27:48. The goal ties her for the team lead with seven goals on the season while leading the team with 18 points.
Taylor Gibson scored the eventual game-winner at 56:23 off a rebound shot by Natalie Hager into an open net.
The Sioux outshot the Huskies 14-13 in the game and were led by Ballon's four while senior midfielder Veronika Zischka (Calgary, Alberta) had three and junior Noel Scherer (Fargo, N.D.) had two.
Huskies netminder Patty Wairath made six saves in the win while Hestdalen finished the game with three.
The Sioux close out the regular season next Thursday with a 3 p.m. meeting at Bronson Field against New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT).
~GO SIOUX~
