Despite dominating the run of play for the majority of the second half, the Colorado College women's soccer team dropped a 3-1 result at the University of Northern Colorado on Thursday night in the official season opener for both teams at Jackson Field.

Lily Byrne leveled the score 52 seconds into the second half with a brilliant series of individual moves for her first goal as a Tiger. The sophomore forward dribbled through and around the UNC defense from the left side of the field across the top of the box and then curling a shot back across into the upper left side.

It seemed like it would be just a matter of time before the Tigers would take the lead, but it was the Bears who went ahead on their first scoring chance of the second half. Late in the 72nd minute, Lexi Pulley scored on a perfectly-placed shot from the left side of the box inside the far post.

Less than two minutes later, Pulley scores again when she put a header from the center of the box under the crossbar after Lauren Woodhull lofted a cross from near the end line on the right side.

Before Pulley's goals, the Tigers had a series of near misses, including a sharp-angle chance for Adelaide Gaffney at the left post on the rebound of a mishandled cross.

Northern Colorado broke through early in the fifth minute when Haley O'Nan knocked in the rebound of a shot by Melina Faris.

Colorado College finished with a 15-9 advantage in total shots and an 8-4 edge in shots on target.

The Tigers also had a 3-2 margin corner kicks.

 
Coach's Comments
"Tough night," head coach Geoff Bennett said. "We generated a ton of quality chances. They cleared two off the line and we hit a post. The game can be cruel sometimes. But our effort level and fight never stopped. We lost the game, but we found out a lot about our character."
 
Colorado College Standouts
Jacqui Hand led the Tigers with three shots, two of which were on goal.
Kaelin Woodruff put both of her shots on frame.
Taryn Benham made one save for CC in first appearance as a Tiger.
 
Northern Colorado Standouts
Lauren Woodhull assisted on UNC's final two goals
Morgan Bury stopped five shots for the Bears.
 
Next for the Tigers
Colorado College returns to action on Sunday when it faces the University of Colorado at the University of Denver. CC's final Colorado Cup game of the 2021 season kicks off at noon.