After starting the conference schedule undefeated following a shutout victory against Saint Vincent, Waynesburg University’s women’s soccer team continued PAC action last Tuesday night against Westminster.

Over the 90 minutes, the Jackets ended up on the short end of the stick, losing the match by a 3-2 score.

Senior forward Melanie Byler said the focus for the team going into the game was constructive passing.

“We knew it was going to be a rough game physically and that we would have to have our passing game on,” said Byler. “Our plan going in was just to out pass them and make the ball do the work.”

In the opening minutes of the game, Byler said it was some of the stronger minutes put together by the Yellow Jackets.

“We started out strong – the first 10 minutes of the game was very excellent with our passing,” said Byler. “As we got tired and our minds got tired and our bodies got tired – we had to figure out how to stay mentally strong.”

After 20 scoreless minutes, the Titans got on the board in the 20th minute and went on to double the score just over 10 minutes later. Waynesburg was able to break up the shut out before halftime with a goal by sophomore Emma Gozzard putting the score at 2-1 at the half.

After Westminster jumped out to a 2-0 lead, Byler said it brought a sense of urgency to the team.

“I would definitely say there was a sense of urgency [following the first two goals,]” said Byler. “There was a feeling if we don’t take control of this game, we’re going to lose so there was a loss of momentum at first, but the new were able to get control.”

Into the second half, senior Melanie Byler tied the game with her 5th goal of the season. But with 21 minutes left in the game, the Titans moved ahead when a shot got through sophomore goalkeeper Courtney Syfert with just over 21 minutes remaining in the contest.

The Jackets kept even with the Titans through the evening, but were ultimately outshot 22-12 and lost their first conference game of the season, 3-2.

Ahead on the schedule for the Yellow Jackets, according to Byler, is one of the harder conference opponents in Thomas More.

“Thomas More is one of the tough teams in the conference, we have to go in with the mentality that we’re not going to give in,” said Byler. “We’re going to have to come out strong and play to our best of our abilities and know that its going to be a hard game – but not a game we can’t win.”

The women’s soccer team returns to action on Saturday, Oct. 7, when it travels to Thomas More. Start time is scheduled for 1 p.m.