KALAMAZOO, Mich. - The Saint Mary's soccer team came up on the short end of a 2-0 final at Kalamazoo in a conference contest on Tuesday evening.

 

A handful of long balls from the midfield into the attacking third for the Belles just missed their intended connection over the opening 20 minutes of play. The Hornets got on the scoreboard in the 36th minute of action, but Saint Mary's put the pressure right back on the Kalamazoo defense. Jillian Bowen worked past a defender on the left side of the field well into the attacking third before playing the ball off for Rose Stackhouse. Stackhouse fired a shot from the top of the box just to see the effort collected for a save. With just over four minutes remaining in the period, Stackhouse was on the service end of a ball into space along the right side for Lindsey Herdsman. After a couple of touches, Herdsman played a low ball along the turf toward the penalty spot, where Sydney Skarbek was making a run, but Skarbek was unable to get behind the chance as the game remained 1-0 at the halftime break.

 

Herdsman helped earn the Belles an indirect free kick less than ten minutes into the second stanza. Stackhouse touched the ball live just inside the 18-yard box, but Maya Cole's attempt was blocked by the wall. Kara Stacey made a pair of saves over the next ten minutes of action to keep the Belles right in the thick of things, including one from point-blank in the box with just over 34 minutes remaining in the half.

 

The Hornets, however, added to their lead with a goal in the 62nd minute for the 2-0 advantage. Saint Mary's continued to battle down the stretch. Stackhouse played a ball centrally toward Jillian Bowen, and Bowen flicked the effort ahead into the box for Katie Harrington to run onto. Bowen's ball carried too heavy as the Kalamazoo goalkeeper was able to pick up the ball just ahead of the freshman forward. Stackhouse drew a penalty with just over five minutes remaining in the contest as the senior was taken down in the box. Stackhouse had her number called to take the penalty kick, but her effort carried high over the crossbar as the game ended by the 2-0 margin.

 

Rose Stackhouse and Maya Cole each posted two shots for the Belles. Mary Kaczynski added a shot in the contest. Kara Stacey collected six saves in goal.

 

The Belles (7-7, 0-5 MIAA) return home to host Albion on Saturday at noon.