FAIRMONT, W. Va. – The Frostburg State Women's Soccer team dropped their MEC opener 1-0 to Fairmont State on the road Wednesday night.
 
The Fighting Falcons came out the quicker of the two teams, forcing junior Mia Graff into a pair of saves within the first 10 minutes. The Bobcats found it difficult to get out of their own half, as they only managed one corner kick and no shots over the first half hour. Fairmont had three more efforts in the next 15 minutes, though all were off target.
 
After Graff made another save, Frostburg was finally able to generate some chances late on in the half. On a free kick from the far side, sophomore Cassidy Paige was first to react to the ball in the box, firing over the bar on a volley. In the final minute, Paige popped up again in the box, crashing a shot on the outside of the post, as freshman Reese Rizzo followed on the rebound by hitting the crossbar as the game went into the half tied 0-0.
 
Both teams had early chances to start the second period, with sophomore Mollie Rebuck firing wide for the Bobcats and Graff making another stop from a Falcon attempt. Fairmont began to grab control of the game, getting away five shots in a seven-minute spell, as Graff was called into action twice more.
 
Frostburg worked their way back in, as junior Chelsea Pettyjohn and sophomore Rayiah Davis each put efforts wide, while Rebuck got behind the defense but was denied at the near post by keeper Olivia Johnston. Momentum swung back to the hosts with another three shots either missing the mark or being blocked in the next three minutes.
 
With just over 15 minutes on the clock, Fairmont got their breakthrough goal, as Montserrat Diaz ran through the Bobcat backline and slotted home for the 1-0 advantage. Seeking a quick response, Frostburg got three straight corners but weren't able to generate a shot from any of them. The Falcons were able to limit chances over the final 10 minutes, while Graff made two more saves before time expired, as senior Morgan Mrizek had one late chance go wide before the horn sounded.
 
Fairmont held a 20-8 advantage in shots, with nine on goal to one for the Bobcats.
 
With the loss, Frostburg drops to 2-2 on the year, while Fairmont improves to 3-0. The Bobcats return to action on Sunday, September 21 as they travel to Wheeling for a 5 p.m. match. Information and updates will be posted to frostburgsports.com.