Tigers can’t hold off Flames in GPAC match

MITCHELL, S.D. – The game could not have started better for the Dakota Wesleyan University women's soccer team against the College of Saint Mary Friday at the Pepsi-Cola Soccer Complex in Mitchell, S.D.

The Tigers got on the board in the first five minutes of the game and held the lead at the half, but the Flames stormed back early in the second half and held on for a 4-2 win over DWU. The loss drops the Tigers to 2-10 overall and 0-5 in the GPAC.

Junior Lizeth Gomez (Garden City, Kan.) deposited her second goal of the season on an assist from senior Maranda Ehrenfried (Pierre, S.D.) in the fifth minute to give DWU its first lead in a conference game in 2015. The Tigers dug in and held CSM off the board in the first half.

The Flames (7-3, 4-2 GPAC) came out on fire in the second half, scoring in the first 30 seconds on a goal from Lexi Bolamperti to even the score. CSM took its first lead of the game four minutes later when Christa Manning scored, while Cassie Dauber gave the Flames breathing room in the 63^rd minute on an unassisted tally.

The Tigers fought back in the 72^nd minute when freshman Gemini Wesley (Sioux Falls, S.D.) chipped the CSM goalkeeper after a strong pass from sophomore Sarah Dryer (Sioux Falls, S.D.) to cut the deficit to one.

The Flames put the game away with their fourth second-half goal when Jenna Herse broke free for her first of the game. CSM outshot the Tigers 15-4, while DWU junior goalkeeper Kira Miller (Preston, Idaho) made nine saves in the loss.

The Tigers look for their first GPAC win of 2015 against Northwestern College at 5 p.m. Tuesday in Orange City, Iowa.