Pulaski, Tenn. – UPIKE women's soccer showed a lot of grit in their 2023 season opening 4-1 loss to the No. 7 UT-Southern Firehawks Saturday night.
 
Junior goalkeeper Millie Conod got the start in net for the Bears tonight and was tested early in this one by the Firehawks. UT-Southern had their first of three first half corner kicks in the 4' but were quickly turned away. Five minutes later, UPIKE countered with a corner kick of their own taken by Ellie Webb. Webb took the Bears' only first half shot on goal in the 13' but was unable to find the back of the net.
 
The Bears and Firehawks went back and forth for the next 12 minutes before Millie Conod came up with a fantastic save off a free kick in the 26'. Eight minutes later, UT-Southern's Hikaru Uchida broke the scoreless tie with a goal in the 34'. The Firehawks' extended their lead to 2-0 just before halftime after a goal by Kamilia Tayebi.
 
UT-Southern opened the second half with a goal in the 51' when Hikaru Uchida found the back of the net for the second time tonight. The Firehawks added another goal in the 70'. Kiera Bailey had the Bears' first shot of the second half in the 72' with a free kick that went over the crossbar.
 
Three minutes later, newcomer Kylie Ritter scored the first UPIKE goal of the season after a fantastic feed from Lillie Kluesner in the 75'. Neither team scored after Ritter's tally and UT-Southern won 4-1.
Despite the loss, Coach Logan Langseth was pleased with how his team battled and performed tonight. "Every player to play for UPIKE has fought for tonight's result. This is the result of trust, belief, and working hard. And a testament to what's coming this season. Go Bears!", said Langseth.  
 
UPIKE captain Riley Collett echoed Langseth's sentiment, saying "UT-Southern is the hardest team we've played and we finished 4-1. We're ready for the AAC. Who's next?"
 
The Bears are 0-1 (0-0 AAC) following tonight's result and will take on the Rio Grande Red Storm next Wednesday in their 2023 home opener at the Bob Amos Turf Field.