GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – Just over eight minutes into the contest, Jada Foster tallied the first goal of the regular season for the Western Oregon University women's soccer team on Sunday. The Wolves played a close game against Colorado Mesa, as the teams were tied throughout the first half and an early second half goal proved the difference for the Mavericks as they held off the Wolves, 2-1.

Foster's goal came off a great free kick from out near midfield by Hannah Rispler that sailed right into the box. Foster then charged and was able to chip the shot past the Maverick goalie who attempted to secure the ball out near the top of the box.

Just as quickly as WOU (0-2) went in front, a penalty in the box on the Wolves ended up giving CMU (2-0) a chance to tie. In the 10^th minute, Lila Dere scored on the penalty kick to even the score at one.

The Mavericks gained control over the next several minutes, generating a couple of shots that missed the net. Darien Walton came up with a big save in the 25^th minute to keep the game tied.

After that, only one more shot was registered which belonged to the Mavericks, but the shot missed the net sending the teams into halftime tied at one.

WOU nearly started the second half like they did the opening half. The Wolves earned a corner kick just over a minute in. Shortly after the kick, Chloe Smith had a chance, but her shot missed the net.

In the 50^th minute, CMU put together a rush to score the go-ahead goal. After working the ball down the sideline, the Mavericks took a shot near the front that was saved by Walton, but on the rebound, Mikayla Eccher was able to just get the shot by the outstretched arms of Walton to move CMU to a 2-1 advantage.

The Mavericks kept the pressure coming, tallying two more shots that missed the net and then had one on goal in the 57^th minute that was saved by Walton. Following another save by Walton in the 68^th minute, WOU nearly evened the score.

In the 70^th minute, Grace Negelspach fired a shot that was saved by Chloe Dody. Shortly after that shot, Hannah Cabral had a chance on the other side of the net that was also saved by Dody.

Smith had a shot just miss the net in the 78^th minute and it looked like the game would end in a 2-1 result until WOU had one more chance to tie the game.

A foul on CMU in the box gave WOU a penalty kick attempt in the 87^th minute. The shot attempt was missed and neither team would get a chance the rest of the way with the Mavericks hanging on for the 2-1 victory.

CMU held a 13-7 edge in shots, including a 7-3 advantage on goal. Each team had three corner kicks and the teams combined for 28 fouls, with 15 whistled on the Mavericks.

Smith led the Wolves with three shots. Foster, Erika Gonzalez Moreno, Cabral and Negelspach all had a shot in the game. Walton started in goal and played all 90 minutes, coming away with five saves.

Dere was active for Colorado Mesa tallying seven shots, with three on goal. She finished with a goal and an assist. Dody started in goal and went all 90 minutes, coming away with two saves.

WOU will return home this coming week to host Sonoma State on Friday starting at 3 p.m. and Humboldt State on Sunday beginning at 12 p.m.