SAN MARCOS, Calif.—After heading to overtime in six different matches last season, the Western Oregon women's soccer team returned to familiar territory in its season opener, but succumbed to a golden goal in the 98th minute for a 1-0 loss in its season opener at Cal State San Marcos.

CSU San Marcos held a 4-2 edge in total shots in the first half but Western Oregon upped the attack after the break to reverse the spread and finish with a 6-5 edge in total shots during regulation.

The Wolves created their best chances in the waning moments of the second half with a pair of tantalizing corner kicks that bounced around the mixer but eventually cleared by the Cougar defense.

WOU goalkeeper Alex Qualls came up with three stops in the match, including a game-saving snare in the 97th minute by corralling a redirection off the foot of CSUSM's Gabi Manno.  

With a second chance at a corner kick seconds later, Elizabeth Maass' delivery found teammate Hannah Arcala in the box where Arcala snuck the ball into the bottom left corner of the net for the game-winning strike.  

The pairing was the first ever meeting between the two teams. CSUSM placed fifth out of 13 teams in the California Collegiate Athletic Conference standings last season with an 8-7-3 overall record.

Western Oregon will return to action with a Saturday bout at California State University, Dominguez Hills. Kickoff for the match is set for 5 p.m. on Field #3 of the StubHub Center, the home of the MLS L.A. Galaxy.