The day got off to a promising start for the Lady Cougars (5-3-1, 0-1-0 AMC South) when freshman forward Jessica Estep (left) took a pass from senior forward Kristy Brandolini and scored just 3:31 into the match to give MVNU an early 1-0 lead.

The visiting Blue Knights (9-1-0, 1-0-0 AMC South) knotted the score at 1-1 in the 33rd minute when Kara Waldon ripped a shot from 40 yards out that found the back of the net. M.E. Daniels was credited with an assist on the play.

Less than three minutes later, the Lady Cougars regained the lead when freshman forward Jena Dickerson crossed a pass from the right flank to Estep, who volleyed home a shot for her second goal of the match and team-leading fifth goal of the season and a 2-1 lead.

The score remained that way through halftime. However, Urbana wasted no time in equalizing as Waldon took a pass from Brittany Webb and knotted the score at 2-2 just 19 seconds into the second half.

Then, in the 60th minute, the Blue Knights scored what turned out to be the game-winner when Kayleen Roth found the back of the net off a cross from Darby McCullough to give Urbana a 3-2 lead.

MVNU held a 22-7 advantage in shots and an 11-4 edge in shots on goal, but the Blue Knights made the most of their scoring opportunities. Freshman goalkeeper Jenessa Loewen had one save for the Lady Cougars, while Melanie Johansing stopped eight shots for Urbana.

“We have got to learn that we must play 90 minutes every time out,” said MVNU head coach Jonathan Meade. “Because of our success in the conference, we will always have a bull’s eye on our backs and each team we play will be trying to play their best against us.”

“We did not play well in the midfield today,” Meade added. “In soccer, you win or lose by the way that the midfield plays. We were also not ready to play to start the second half. We have our work cut out for us as we need to take care of business to stay in the hunt for a playoff berth.”

The Lady Cougars will return to action on Wednesday when MVNU will travel to Walsh University for another important AMC South Division match that will begin at 7:00 p.m.