OTTAWA, Kan. - The Ottawa women's soccer team opened their season with a loss as they fell to (RV) Mid-America Christian by a score of 5-1 on Thursday evening at AdventHealth Field.

Mid-America Christian did not wait long to strike first, scoring the first goal in the game in the ninth minute. They then scored again in the 17th minute to take a 2-0 lead into halftime. The Evangels padded their lead with 62nd, 68th, and 78th minute goals. Ottawa responded with their first goal of the season in the 80th minute, a redirect by Samantha Pruett off a Riley Smith assist, marking Pruett's first collegiate goal.

Mid-America Christian led both shots and shots on goal, by margins of 21 to 13 and 7 to 6, respectively. Te'a Newcomb made three saves in the first half, and Makena Tapia made five saves in the second half in her collegiate debut. In all, five Braves made their collegiate debuts.

Ottawa (0-1-0, 0-0-0 KCAC) continues their season on Friday, August 29 as they travel to Baldwin City, Kan. for a rivalry match at Baker University. That match is scheduled to begin at 5:00 PM.