MANKATO, Minn. - The Concordia-St. Paul soccer team (5-2-1, 3-1-1 NSIC) lost their first conference match of the season to the #13 Minnesota State Mavericks (7-1-0, 5-0 NSIC) on Wednesday afternoon in Mankato.  
 
"After a slow start we bounced back with a strong second half and feel unfortunate to not get anything from today's game. We will look to rebound quickly," head coach Steve Bellis said after the match.
 
In last year's matchup, the Bears went into the half tied, but gave up an early second half goal that proved to be the game-winner, as the Mavericks went on to win 1-0. Goalkeeper Emily Nelson made seven saves during that game. Coming into this year's matchup, both teams had been playing well with the Mavericks winning their last four conference matches and the Bears having a five game unbeaten streak.
 
In the beginning of the first half, the Bears offense got off to a good start, firing two shots within the first five minutes. The Maverick offense then got going, putting up a total of 12 shots in the first half. The Bears defense held tough though, only allowing four of those shots to be on goal, holding Minnesota State to a .300 shots on goal percentage, which is under their average of .461. The Mavericks were held scoreless until the 40^th minute, when Julia Zach put a shot over Bears goalkeeper Jordyn Clark from the outside of the box. It would remain 1-0 as the Bears headed into the halftime break.
 
The second half saw more back and forth play, with the Bears putting more pressure on the Maverick defense and creating more chances on the other end of the field. In the 74^th minute sophomore midfielder Emily Boyer got an open look but wasn't able to convert. A little over five minutes later, teammate Carly Simonian made some nice moves, got by the Maverick's defenders, and put up a great shot but the Maverick goalie deflected it over the net.
 
The Bears defense had a strong second half as well, only allowing five shots, none of which were on goal. Despite their second half chances, no Golden Bear was able to find the back of the net and the game would end 1-0 in favor of the Mavericks. Both teams finished with four shots on goal.
 
Jordyn Clark had three saves on the day, but would take the loss in net, dropping her season record to 3-1-1.
 
The Bears return home to play two games at Sea Foam Stadium for homecoming weekend. They will take on Bemidji State on Friday night at 7 p.m. and then Minnesota Crookston at 1 p.m. on Sunday. If you are unable to make it in person, be sure to keep up with all the CSP soccer action at cspbears.com/watch.