MARSHALL, Minn. – The Concordia Golden Bears soccer team (0-4, 0-2 NSIC) opened the weekend with a 1-0 loss at Southwest Minnesota State (3-2, 2-0 NSIC) on Saturday afternoon. Autumn Hayes' PK goal in the 61st minute proved to be the difference-maker for SMSU.
 
Despite falling to 0-4 on the young season, keeper Emma Gartner was solid in goal with six saves on seven shots with the only shot sneaking past her coming on a penalty kick.

"We defended pretty well and the goalkeeper played great but weren't able to create enough chances to win the game. They were a good team that will go on and do well this year but we be doing better going forward," said head coach Steve Bellis on the team's effort.

Shannon Wynne made an impact in her first career start with a team-best two shots with one on goal. McKenzie Buck and Jess Bianchi added the other two shots on goal for CU in the loss.
 
Brienna Dehkes evened her record at 2-2 for the Mustangs as she collected her first shutout on the season while making three saves.
 
It was a defensive battle in the first half as the two teams combined for just five shots on goal and no goals in the opening 45 minutes. Gartner stopped both shots fired her way while Dehkes stopped all three CU shots for SMSU. The Golden Bears were more efficient with their opportunities as they put three of their four shots on net in the half compared to just two of six for the Mustangs.
 
The Mustangs put the clamps on Concordia in the second half as they limited CU to only one shot and none on goal after the break. The pressure didn't result in much for SMSU until a penalty kick from Autumn Hayes put Southwest up 1-0 in the 61^st minute for her third goal of the year. Taryn MacMillan's tough luck continued as she nearly tied the game with just under ten minutes remaining in the game as she headed a loose ball out in front of the net off the post. MacMillan has hit the post several times this year in her pursuit of her first goal in a Golden Bear uniform. Gartner stood her ground in the second half as she turned away four shots in the half to keep it within striking distance. CU was unable to break through to even it up though as their scoreless drought reached 612:49 minutes dating back to last season.
 
Concordia will look to change their luck tomorrow afternoon at Sioux Falls as they face the Cougars at 1 p.m.