Bluefield, WV. - In their season opener and home debut, the Lady Rams squared off against Rio Grande, ending with a 4-1 loss. Despite the setback, Bluefield University's women's soccer team demonstrated commendable resilience and maintained a positive outlook for the rest of the season. 

The Rams started with strong momentum, even after Rio Grande took a 1-0 lead in the 18th minute. Jayme Crawford's close shot nearly equalized the score, but the attempt went just wide. Bluefield's defense, led by goalkeeper Autumn Matthews, kept the game competitive with five crucial saves in the first period. However, Rio Grande added a second goal before halftime, making it 2-0. 

The Rams entered the second period with renewed vigor, pushing aggressively to close the gap. Savannah Holmes had a near miss, with Rio's goalkeeper Vilades Marin making a key save. Despite a solid defensive effort and another six saves from Matthews, Rio Grande extended their lead with goals from Moran Fannin and Madison McKenzie, bringing the score to 4-0. 

Refusing to be discouraged, the Rams fought back, with Matthews' performance energizing the team. Savannah Holmes set up Sara Cox for a powerful shot from the left side, scoring Bluefield's first goal of the season. Cox, last year's Bluefield Offensive Player of the Year, demonstrated her scoring prowess early in the season. 

Coach Patrick Ritter reflected on the game, saying, "We knew Rio Grande would be a tough opponent with just five days of practice. We were encouraged by our performance, especially in how we started strong and created opportunities. The depth of our roster showed, with key contributions from players coming off the bench. The goal from Savannah to Sara highlighted our potential. We'll use this experience to build and prepare for our next game." 

Though the Rams took the loss, Coach Ritter and his team remain enthusiastic and optimistic about their prospects for the season. The Lady Rams will take on Penn State Hazleton in their next matchup on August 31st at noon.