GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – Chances were limited throughout the game and as it turned out, one goal was all it took. The Western Oregon University women's soccer team out shot Western Colorado, but the Mountaineers were able to score the only goal in the first half to defeat the Wolves, 1-0, Friday in the season opener for both teams. The game was played at Maverick Field on the campus of Colorado Mesa in Grand Junction.

WOU recorded nine shots, with six landing on target. WCU tallied just four shots, with two ending up on goal. WOU held a 3-1 edge over the first 45 minutes in shots, but the only shot WCU got off ended up being the game-winner. The Wolves pressured more in the second half generating a 6-3 edge in shots, but couldn't tally the equalizer.

The Wolves ended up with 10 corner kicks to five for the Mountaineers. WOU was also whistled for 11 fouls to four for WCU.

WOU came out right away and had pressure on the Mountaineers. In the fourth minute, Chloe Smith fired the first shot of the game that was saved by Kaeyla Noble. A minute later, Hannah Rispler fired a shot to the left lower portion of the goal that was also turned away by Noble. In the seventh minute, WOU recorded their third shot when Smith got another chance and Noble made her third straight save.

After that, the next shot that would be taken ended up being the only goal scored on the afternoon. In the 24^th minute, Jessie Jacobson knocked home the goal for the Mountaineers off an assist by Laura Pelino for the 1-0 lead.

WOU kept WCU from taking any more shots the remainder of the half and although the Wolves didn't get any shots, they tallied a corner kick and just missed a few chances that were whistled offside.

Similar to the start of the game, WOU generated chances right away in the second half. Three straight corner kicks happened around the 48^th minute, but no shots ended up on goal.

Jenna Efraimson had the first registered shot of the second half for either team in the 57^th minute that just missed the goal.

In the 71^st minute, the first shot to land on goal was by Gabby Pulliam as her shot went to the bottom right, but was saved by Noble keeping the game 1-0 in favor of WCU.

Hannah Cabral had a chance in the 73^rd minute as her shot missed the net. After that, the Mountaineers had a couple of chances around the 75^th minute, with a shot ending up on goal that was saved by Emily Wheeler.

In the 78^th minute, WOU had a pair of shots end up on goal. Pulliam ripped a shot to the bottom right that was saved and just a few seconds later off the rebound, Jada Foster took a shot towards the bottom right of the goal that was again saved by Noble.

WOU ended up with their final shot in the 84^th minute taken by Camille Darland that missed the goal.

Six of the starters accounted for all but one of the shots taken during the game for the Wolves, with the other registered by Cabral. Smith and Pulliam led the way with two shots taken apiece and both ended up on goal.

Darien Walton started in goal for the Wolves, while Wheeler played the second half.

Jessie Jacobsen had two of the four shots for the Mountaineers, with the one ending up on target being the only goal. Malia Yang had the only other shot on goal coming off the bench.

Noble started in goal and played all 90 minutes, turning away the six shots on goal she faced.

This was the second all-time meeting between the teams as the series is now even at one.

WOU will finish their Colorado trip this Sunday against host Colorado Mesa starting at 11 a.m. (Pacific). Live video and stats will be available for the game.