PEPPER PIKE, Ohio -- The Malone University women's soccer team opened up Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) play on Thursday afternoon with a trip to the Ursuline College Arrows. 

The Arrows (2-1, 1-0 G-MAC) led by multiple goals for most of the afternoon, but were forced to hold off a late Pioneer (0-3-1, 0-1 G-MAC) comeback attempt.

In the end Ursuline held on for the 4-3 win. 

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
It took less than three minutes for Ursuline to open up the scoring. The Arrows broke through for a goal on their opening shot of the game. 

Ursuline dominated possession for most of the first half, but the Pioneers rallied for the equalizer late. 

In the 36th minute Savannah Ebin put Malone on the board with her first goal of the game, and the 1-1 score held until the halftime break. 

Unfortunately for Malone, the second half started much like the first half did with the Arrows scoring quickly. Ursuline went up 2-1 with a goal in the 47th minute. 

The Arrows were then able to make it a 3-1 advantage with another score in the 57th minute.

The Pioneers responded however, when Cayde Koballa scored the first goal of her collegiate career in the 59th minute to make it 3-2. 

The offensive fireworks did not stop there. Ursuline scored again just a little over five minutes later to move ahead 4-2. 

There was no quit on the Malone side. Madeleine Ault's strike in the 88th minute found the back of the net for her second goal of the year.

Unfortunately the Pioneers ran out of time on the comeback attempt, and Ursuline held on for the 4-3 win. 

PIONEER POINTS

• Despite being outshot by a 20-10 mark, Malone made the most of their opportunities. The three goals scored are the most for the Pioneers since the season-opening win over Hiram College in the 2021 spring season (March 11). 
• With eight more saves today, Jessica Morgan's season total now stands at 27. That number is second most in the G-MAC.
• Madeleine Ault's goal was her seccond of the year. She is the first Pioneer player with multiple goals this season, and joins a four-way tie for fourth most in the G-MAC. 

WHAT'S NEXT?
The Pioneers have a full week off from competition. Malone is back in action on Thursday, September 23 when they travel to Trevecca Nazarene University. Kick off is slated for 8:00 p.m. EDT.