CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. ? A slow start doomed Austin Peay State University women's soccer team as they lost their season opener to North Dakota State, 2-1, Friday at Morgan Bros. Soccer Field. The Lady Govs fell to 0-1, losing the season opener for the sixth time in the program's short seven year history. North Dakota improved to 1-0 and travels to Murray State for a Sunday contest.

Much like its exhibition loss at Middle Tennessee, the Lady Govs fell victim to an early goal and were forced to play from behind for more than 80 minutes. Nicole Rand found the back of the net in the seventh minute to give the Bison an early 1-0 lead. Rand, a senior, led a potent North Dakota State offense and finished with two shots, both on goal.

Just before the half, the Bison capitalized on a Lady Govs defensive breakdown to score their second goal and take a 2-0 lead into the break. Abbey Stratton served a corner into the box in the 44th minute. With Austin Peay's defense bearing down, Emily Brostrom punched the ball off a defender who was inside the goal line for the score. That was enough to put the pressure on the Lady Govs.

“It's a struggle after that, because from that point on, you're playing catch up,” Lady Govs head coach Kelley Guth said. “We told them not to lose their heads and play composed soccer. We've got to be confident that we can score. We knew going into the half that we were in this game. We told them to get one goal at a time and never stop fighting for it.”

That goal came for the Lady Govs right out of the gate in the second half. After being outshot, 8-6, in the first period, Austin Peay was determined to pick up the offensive pace. Junior Elyse Lovelace took the opening drop and fired a quick shot that was deflected, leading to a Lady Govs corner kick. Freshman Alanna Foster bent one into the box and sophomore Hannah Jones fired it home, which set the final margin.

The Bison outshot the Lady Govs 15-13 for the game, but its hard-nosed defense down the stretch was the key. In fact, six of their seven second-half fouls came with fewer than 25 minutes to play. That intensity was too much for the Lady Govs.

Jones and Lovelace each had two shots on goal for Austin Peay, while sophomore Kellie Cannon added three shots. Junior netminder Michelle Smith played all 45 minutes between the posts, allowing two goals and recording six saves.

The Lady Govs return to action on the road with a 4 p.m., Friday, game at Alabama A&M. The Lady Govs return home for a 4 p.m., Sunday, contest with Lipscomb.