CLAREMORE, Okla.- A second half slump led to a 4-1 defeat for the Rogers State women's soccer team in its home opener against Oklahoma Wesleyan on Friday night at Soldier Field.
 
Despite taking an early lead and out shooting their opponent 21-16, the Hillcats couldn't stop the OWU offense in the second stanza, allowing a trio of goals with no offensive answer of their own.
 
In just the second minute of the game LeighAnn Craig slotted the ball through the defense for senior Jianna Cervantes who buried the ball back-post with her first touch to give RSU the advantage. It was the Muskogee, Okla. native's first goal of the season.
 
The Lady Eagles had an answer five minutes later as Danielle Uptain gave OWU the equalizer.
 
Neither team was able to claim the lead before intermission, though Craig narrowly missed with her header skimming the crossbar in the 34th minute. RSU fired two more shots before halftime but OWU escaped with the score knotted as the team went to the locker room at the break.
 
OWU's Aracelly Ortega and Kaja Cremin owned the RSU defense in the second half, combining to score all three goals in the stanza. Ortega tallied the hat trick while Cremin dished the ball to her teammate three consecutive times.
 
Tayler Stover started the game for RSU in goal and made four saves while allowing one goal. Amanda Morgan played the second half and tallied the loss, giving up three goals while making one save.
 
Hope Gastelum made nine saves in goal for OWU and registered the win, allowing one goal.
 
Rogers State (0-4) returns to action on Sunday as the Hillcats travel to East Central for a 2 p.m. showdown.