PIKEVILLE, Ky. – The University of Pikeville women's soccer team took a loss at home Wednesday afternoon, after a scrappy outing against Bluefield College ended 3-1 in the visitors' favor.
 
The loss came despite goalkeeper Chelsea Schulte's 17 saves and was enough to bring the Bluefield Rams back to an even record at 6-6, and one win shy of doing the same in the Mid-South Conference at 2-3. Having lost, the Bears now find themselves 3-6 on the season but 0-5 in the MSC.
 
 Jessica Newman got things kicked off in the fifth minute when Cortney Pattison worked her way all the way to the goal line before passing back to Newman, who was able to beat UPIKE's Chelsea Schulte from just two yards outside the net. The Rams got eight more shots on goal in the half, but Schulte was able to fend them off.
 
The second half was a much different story. Although Schulte added nine more saves, Pattison was able to collect a loose ball and score into an empty net just after the second half kickoff.
 
This led to the Bears (outshot by the Rams 26-12) rediscovering their attacking mojo, and Olivia Gipson was the one to capitalize when she beat most of the Bluefield defense herself to score from inside of the box 58 minutes in.
 
With the Bears now in striking distance, Bluefield turned to Braley Freire, who buried an unassisted goal 17 minutes from full time to secure a win for her team.
           
Pikeville will return to the pitch on Saturday afternoon when it visits the University of Rio Grande. The MSC matchup begins at 5 p.m.
 
 
-UPIKE-