Nov. 16, 2005

OLATHE, Kan. -- The host institution for this year's NAIA Women's Soccer national championship, Park University (Mo.) suffered a 2-1 loss to Indiana Wesleyan University to in the first round of the tournament.  The games are being at the College Boulevard Activity Center in Olathe, Kan.

No. 14-seed Indiana Wesleyan jumped out to an early 1-0 lead as Rachel Gerdin scored in the second minute on an assist from Abbey Zellers.  The score remained 1-0 at the half after a Park goal at the horn was waived off. 

The Pirates battled back to even the game up at 1-1 at 66:35 as sophomore Maria Ruiz took a through ball from freshman Dena Pires and scored her 26th goal of the season.  The tied score did not stay for long as Indiana Wesleyan answered less than two minutes later with the game-winner by Janele Demchak at 68:16. 

Goalkeeper Michelle Egler recorded four saves as Park falls to 8-9-3 on the season.

Indiana Wesleyan (19-1-2) out shot Park 15-8.  Roxanne Rudrick had four saves for the Wildcats as they advance to meet #3 Azusa Pacific University (Calif.) Thursday night at 7:15 p.m. 

Box Score