PIKEVILLE, Ky. -- The University of Pikeville women's soccer team was left to rue their missed chances as an overtime penalty kick ended its perfect start to the season, losing 2-1 against Warren Wilson (N.C.) on Thursday at the Bob Amos Complex.
The Bears (4-1) had the advantage in nearly every statistical category. They were able to muster up 22 shots to the Owls' four, put eight of those on goal to the Owls' four, and did not concede a corner kick all night while taking four of their own.
Despite those advantages, inaccuracy in front of the goal and a few heroic saves from Warren Wilson's Kendra Orians proved the difference in the loss.
From the opening kickoff, UPIKE had a clear edge in possession and an impressive 13-0 shot advantage in the first half. Jasmine Davis put in quite a shift in the midfield to help provide the forwards with plenty of ammunition, while the back four were able to put the squeeze on Owl standout Bianca Canizio (who had scored all four goals for Warren Wilson this season) with a little help from the sweeping skills of goalkeeper Chelsea Schulte, playing as fearless as ever charging off her lines to deal with loose balls.
Kayla Robertson nearly put the Bears on top in the 24th minute with a low, curling effort, but Orians was up to the task and tipped the ball around the post for a corner.
For all their first-half dominance, the Bears still went empty handed in the first 45.
Warren Wilson (3-3) wasted little time changing the narrative one minute into the second half as Erica Oliver pounced on a defensive miscommunication to score on an empty net with her team's first shot of the evening in the 46th minute. From that moment on, the Owls found their confidence and their shots, but it left them exposed at the back.
UPIKE's non-stop pressure was finally rewarded in the 65th minute when Kaitlyn Abdon teed up Olivia Gipson inside the box. Gipson struck an absolute hammer blow with her first touch that flew in to Orians' left to equalize for the Bears.
The Bears stayed hungry for the remainder of regulation, but were dealt a serious blow in the 80th minute when Jasmine Davis went down with an injury. Deprived of Davis' distributing skills, the two teams played out the remainder of regulation without a shot being taken.
UPIKE looked ready for a quick strike in overtime, especially when Kayla Scott lashed wide in the 92nd minute.
However, a ball to the hand in UPIKE's box left the referee with a quick decision that ended with the Owls receiving a penalty-kick opportunity, Warren Wilson's Marisa Romeo caught a generous bounce off the inside of the left post to score the winner from 12 yards.
The Bears jump back into Mid-South Conference play at 2 p.m. ET on Saturday at Cumberlands in Williamsburg, Ky.
