Box Score MEMPHIS, Tenn.- The Union University women's soccer team dropped their regular season opener 3-1 to Clayton State after strong showings in preseason matches.
 
Union (0-1) trailed early in the match after giving up an early goal to Clayton State (1-0). Maria Marti Bartis snuck a shot into the Union goal only 3:20 into the match. The Lady Bulldogs kept a strong defense for the rest of the half holding the Lakers to their single goal, but only got off one shot on the offensive side of the ball.
 
The Lady Bulldogs tied the score at 1-1 with an equalizer in the early minutes of the second half. Kayleigh Patterson was able to dish a pass to fellow junior forward Kelsey Wilkes who netted the goal in the 48^th minute of play.
 
The tie would only last four minutes when Clayton State quickly regained the lead after Bartis scored her second goal of the match without the help of her teammates. Less than two minutes later, the Lakers doubled their lead on an unassisted goal off the foot of Rachael Schmidt in the 54^th minute. The score would hold at 3-1 to give Clayton State their first victory of the year.
 
Union was without their leading scorer of the 2014 campaign in Honeye Heydari due to injury, but will look for their first when in four short days. The Lady Bulldogs will open up their home slate with an early Labor Day, September 7^th, game against McKendree University with the start time set for 11 a.m.
 
#UNION#