OGDEN, UTAH --- The University of North Dakota soccer team ended its three game goalless streak in Thursday's match against Big Sky Conference opponent Weber State, but it wasn't enough to fend off the Wildcats, as WSU snatched the 4-1 victory.
The loss tallied as UND's tenth loss in a row, bringing their record to 2-12-1 on the season and 0-8-0 in conference play. Weber State improved to 6-10-0 on the season and 5-3-0 in the Big Sky Conference.
"We went down one on a penalty kick, but Rhaya (Ballon) put us on the board with a great goal," head coach Kristen Gay said. "We just gave up some easy goals as we had to deal with some game-ending injuries from the first half. It is certainly frustrating, but our players continue to play to the end."
Weber State started off the scoring at the 14:10 mark, as Chansi Crompton scored her second goal of the season off of a penalty kick to give WSU a 1-0 lead.
The lead was short-lived, however, as UND's Rhaya Ballon (Rogers, Minn.) tied the score at 1-1 in the 26th minute of the game. Ballon took advantage of a turnover and breakaway opportunity to score her third goal of the season. The goal was unassisted.
Two minutes later, at the 27:37 mark, the Wildcats reclaimed their lead on a goal by Ari Aki. Crompton was credited with the assist on the goal, putting Weber State ahead 2-0.
First half scoring concluded in the 37th minute, as Crompton found the net from 30 yards out off of a rebound. Crompton's second goal of the game (third of the year) would go unassisted and give WSU a 3-1 advantage heading into the halftime break.
Second half play proved to be fairly even, as UND held WSU scoreless until the final seconds. At the 89:32 mark, Aki won a scramble in front of the net to knock in her second goal of the game. Stacy Bair and London Crown were each credited with an assist on the goal, sealing WSU's victory with a score of 4-1.
Weber State held the advantage over North Dakota in shots 19-16. The game proved to be physical, as UND finished with nine fouls, and WSU finished with 15.
Ballon led UND's offense with four shots, while Caitlyn Haring (Fargo, N.D.) added three. North Dakota's goalkeeper, Kristi Hestdalen (Pierre, S.D.) made five saves in the losing effort.
WSU's goalkeeper, Ryann Waldman, made three saves and was credited with the win. Goalkeeper, Danielle MacKay, also compiled three saves for the Wildcats in her time in the net.
North Dakota will take the field Saturday in Pocatello, Idaho, for its final game of the season against BSC's fourth-ranked team, Idaho State.
