MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. – Josefina Perez scored her team-high-tying third goal of the season in a 3-1 loss Friday against No. 18 Massachusetts at SportPort International.
It was the Atlantic 10 Conference opener for both teams. SLU falls to 1-5 overall and 0-1 in the A-10. UMass improves to 5-2 and 1-0 in the league.
The Minutewomen jumped ahead with a goal late in the first quarter, and the score remained 1-0 UMass at halftime.
UMass went on top 3-0 with a pair of goals in the third quarter.
The Billikens responded with a spirited fourth quarter. SLU outshot the Minutewomen 6-4 in the frame and generated five of its seven penalty corners. SLU broke through in the 47th minute when Perez buried a pass from Ava Bleier for the lone SLU goal of the match. Perez now has a team-leading eight points (3G, 2A), while Bleier recorded her first collegiate point.
SLU returns to action on Sunday when it travel to face Ball State (2-4). Game time in Muncie, Indiana, is set for noon (CT).