The Collegian

Issue date: 9/6/06 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Courtesy of www.smcgaels.com Forward Nikki Shrey scored the Gaels lone goal against the Titans.

After being dealt their first loss of the season by the Sacramento State Hornets last Thursday, the Saint Mary's women's soccer team went into the California Invitational hoping to rebound back and tally a few wins. With the 1-0 loss in double overtime to the Hornets, the Gaels' record stood at 1-1.

On Friday, September 1 the Gaels encountered their second straight loss of the season when they faced the #15 Cal State Fullerton Titans in the California Invitational.

Coming into the game in full force, the Titans scored their first goal just 5:34 into the game. Candice Byler scored the first goal for the Titans with a shot past Gael goalkeeper, Noelle Brown. The Gaels came back with their own goal just 20 seconds later when sophomore Nikki Shrey stole the ball from Titans' McKenna Belzer, nabbing her first goal of the season and tying the game 1-1 at the half.

The Gaels dominated the first half, taking five shots on goal. Titan goalkeeper Karen Bardsley recorded four saves in the first half and 10 saves for the game, allowing the Gaels only one goal the entire game. The Titans then took the lead, as Desiree Flint scored the game winner, a header, in the 74th minute.

Though the Gaels out shot the Titans 12-9 and had 11 shots on goal, the Gaels' effort still resulted in a loss, dropping their season record to 1-2.

The California Invitational continued on Sunday, September 3, where the Gaels took on the Kansas Jayhawks. Less than two minutes into the game, the Jayhawks' Lacey Novak tallied the first goal of the game and her second of the season. The Gaels rallied back when senior McKenna Belzer scored her first goal of the season. Again, the score was tied 1-1 at the half.

The Jayhawks came out running in the second half, scoring three more goals. The Gaels only tallied one more goal in the 65th minute of play, scored by red-shirt freshman Allie Weiner and assisted by freshman Jessica Menzhuber.

With these two losses, the Gaels fall to 1-3 on the season.

Now, the Gaels prepare for the Saint Mary's College Soccer Classic later this week at Saint Mary's Stadium. The Gaels will take on Vanderbilt University on Thursday, September 7 at 4:30 p.m. and Air Force on Saturday, September 9 at 9:00 a.m.

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