MACOMB, Ill. - The North Dakota State soccer team dropped a 3-2 contest to Western Illinois on Saturday afternoon.  With the loss, the Bison finish the season with a 5-12-2 record and a 2-5-1 mark in The Summit League.  Western Illinois ended the season with an 8-8-2 record (4-4 Summit). 

Western Illinois put the pressure on early, but Bison goalie Kalani Bertsch stopped the first two Westerwind shots.  The Bison responded with a corner kick, but could not make anything of the opportunity.  Kim Schuneman put Western Illinois on the board in the 32nd minute when she knocked in a cross from Ashley Hoch.  Nora Potempa gave the home team a 2-0 lead four minutes later. 

Down 2-0 at the half, the Bison came back fighting in the second half.  Sophomore Marissa Wolfgram immediately put pressure on the Western Illinois goal, but Jessica Walsh saved her shot.  The Bison continued to shoot, although they struggled to find the goal. 

After a foul on Western Illinois, freshman Aubrey Bot put the ensuing free kick into the box and classmate Michelle Gaffaney was there to head it home in the 65th minute.

The Westerwinds' Keeley Murray added a third goal in the 81st minute to make the score 3-1. 

The Bison refused to quit and junior Laura Murphy cut the margin to one when she scored in the 87th minute, however there was not enough time to continue the comeback. 

NOTES

-Freshman Katie Luce earned her first career start against Western Illinois.

-Junior Lorraine Thompson ended the season as the leading scorer for the Bison with six goals.