The FIU women's soccer team dropped a hard fought match to the Trojans of UALR by the score of 2-1, Sunday afternoon at University Park.

Freshman Miriam Mercado (Davie, Fla.) picked up her first goal of the season, but the Golden Panthers gave up two late goals, and couldn't equalize as time expired.

"The girls gave an honest effort," said head coach Thomas Chestnutt. "We just wore down. It's been a long season. The girls have played a lot of minutes."

Despite a 6-1 advantage in shots for FIU in the first half, defense was the norm in the opening period as neither team could put together any real scoring threats for most of the half.

It wasn't until the 45^th minute that FIU's Amy Jackson (Melbourne, Australia) was able to dribble past the UALR defense and fire a dangerous shot that was turned away by Jane Picarelli.

In the 53^rd minute, freshman Kassandra Sorzano (Miami, Fla.) picked up her fifth assist of the season as she found Mercado inside the penalty area, setting up a shot into the lower left corner of the net for a 1-0 FIU lead.

UALR nearly equalized in the 58^th minute when Danielle Dunsworth fired a shot that FIU senior keeper Madeline Gannon (Ft. Myers, Fla.) turned away but couldn't control. Dunsworth handled the rebound and fired on a seemingly open net, but Michelle Casadevall (Miami, Fla.) was there to kick away the potential match-tying shot.

The Trojans would finally get on the board in the 78^th minute on a goal by Leanne Mihelich, her ninth score of the season.

Ten minutes later, Courtney Renfro controlled a rebound that came off her own shot and fired on an open net after Gannon had to dive to stop the initial shot. The goal proved to be the game winner as FIU couldn't muster anymore offense.

"I give credit to UALR," added Chestnutt. "They kept fighting after they fell behind in the second half and they came all the way back."

The loss drops FIU to 3-10-3 (1-7-2 SBC) with one match left to play. With the win, the Trojans improve to 10-9-0 (4-5-0 SBC).

The Golden Panthers return to action at University Park on Wednesday, November 2^nd as they host in-state and SBC rival Florida Atlantic.