Box Score BOX SCORE

SALT LAKE CITY – The Westminster women's soccer team dropped a 2-1 decision against Utah Valley in the 2011 season opener on Monday afternoon. This marks the third straight year that Westminster has opened the year with a loss to the Wolverines.

While Westminster falls to 0-1 on the year, the game counts as an exhibition for the NCAA DI Wolverines.

Utah Valley took an early 1-0 lead when Jaime Lyons redirected a Shalayne Janis corner kick inside the far post in the 17th minute. Lyons just got a foot on the ball with enough momentum to carry it past the Griffin keeper Dayna Winter-Nolte for the early advantage.

The Griffins recorded several opportunities in the opening 45 minutes and finished with an 8-6 advantage in shots at the intermission. UVU keeper Lauren Sack made three saves in the first half and watched several other Griffin attacks sail just wide of frame.

Westminster would tally the equalizer in the 59th minute when Margo Hickman buried a shot inside the far post from just outside the 18-yard box. She settled a 50/50 ball and then turned and put it in the net for her first career goal at Westminster.

UVU would find the game-winner just five minutes later when Haley Curtis forced a Griffin turnover in their final third. Curtis then sent a through ball to a streaking Regan Clifford who proceeded to slide it into the goal for the 2-1 lead.

Westminster would muster a few chances down the stretch with the third UVU keeper Jessica Duffin turning away the best chance in the 75th minute from Alyssa Hill.

UVU used a 10-6 advantage in shots in the second half to finish with a 16-13 margin in the game. The Wolverines also held a 4-3 lead in corner kicks and committed eight fouls to the seven by the Griffins.

Winter-Nolte made six saves for the Griffins in her first game in 21 months. Hickman fired a team-best three shots with two on frame. Jaime Young and Heather Hillam got off two shots apiece.

Westminster will be back in action on Thursday, August 18 when they face Iowa Western Community College at Rio Tinto Stadium. The game is an exhibition for the Griffins and is slated for a 7 p.m. kickoff.