EUGENE, Ore.  –The Northwest Christian University women's soccer team held a 1-0 lead at halftime on Thursday but couldn't cling to the victory as Southern Oregon rallied with two for a 2-1 Cascade Collegiate Conference win at Mike Kelly Field.
 
The first half saw both teams jostling for possession and production as the defenses responded to every challenge to the tune of just six shots combined. It wasn't until the 44th minute when the Beacons finally broke through with the game's first score.
 
With just 1:14 remaining before the intermission, Michelle Giron  got the ball on a breakaway and found Mishayla Bertelsen (pictured) on the run with a perfectly placed through-ball. Bertelsen made a move and got around SOU keeper Devon Walker to tap in the empty net score. It was the first goal of the season for the senior and eighth of her career.
 
If the first half was an evenly contested battle, the final 45 minutes were anything but as Southern Oregon out-shot NCU 7-0. The first Raider goal came in the 50th minute following a corner kick. A quick inbound pass allowed a deep cross from just inside the left corner. Presley Lambert received the ball near the opposite post where she then headed the ball back to the left. A diving save by Beacon keeper Kristin Fulbright left a loose ball in front of the net where Kelsey Randall collected the rebound to poke in the equalizer.
 
The game remained tied until the 64th minute when Southern Oregon would put away the game winner. Receiving the ball in transition, Elise De Jesse sent a grounder up the middle to Randall who flicked the ball ahead to a waiting Lambert. Lambert finished strong, firing the ball from five-yards out for the score.
 
Southern Oregon (3-7, 2-1 CCC) finished with an 11-2 lead in shots, but took just four shots-on-goal in the match.

Head Coach Brett Bentley said, "We played well tonight and did a good job defensively. We learned lessons tonight about trusting ourselves in tough situations that will benefit us going forward. I am confident we will respond well next time out."
 
Northwest Christian (4-7, 0-3) will return to action on Saturday at 1 p.m. when they play host to Oregon Tech. The Raiders will be on the road on Saturday in Salem, taking on Corban University at 1 p.m.