MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. - For the first time in league play, the USCB women's soccer team suffered a loss, as the Sand Sharks fell to No. 23 St. Thomas, 2-0, at the STU Soccer Field on Saturday.

Inside The Box Score

Gabriella Baldo - two shots, two shots on goal

Mari Kalvatn - two shots, one shot on goal

Madison Foshee and Aurya Downey - one shot on goal each

Mariah Ruckdeschel - 90 minutes, 11 saves

How It Happened

The Bobcats started the contest by dominating possession with five shots in the first 10 minutes of opening touch.

The Sand Sharks settled down and maintained possession by posting three corners and two shots from the 20th to 22nd minutes. 

USCB only had one more chance to find the net, which came in the 31st minute. Baldo posted the shot on goal, but it was saved.

The USCB goalkeeper, Ruckdeschel, and the Sand Shark defense faced 12 shots in the first 45-minute session, as it held STU scoreless.

Just six minutes into the second half, a Sand Shark committed a foul inside the 18-yard box, which gave the nationally-ranked team a penalty kick. Karina Media took the shot and found the net to take the one-goal lead. 

From the 59th to 63rd minute, the Bobcats posted three shots and two corners in the span. Again, the USCB defense stayed stout to keep it a one-goal deficit. 

In the 72nd and 80th minutes, USCB had two more chances to ripple the twine but couldn't. Baldo and Kalvatn took the chances for the Sand Sharks in those respective opportunities. 

To seal the contest, the Bobcats put the game out of reach in the 88th frame when Maite Sanchez made it a 2-0 game. 

Team Record Updates

USCB - 7-4 overall, 1-1 SUN

No. 23 St. Thomas - 6-1-2 overall, 1-0-1 SUN

What's Next?

The Sand Sharks will return to Fin Land Field with a two-game week. Kicking off the week is a bout with Ave Maria on Thursday, Oct. 7 at 11 a.m.