Sept. 29, 2011

Great West Conference women's soccer began its race for the 2011 league crown Thursday night with Houston Baptist and North Dakota claiming road wins.

Houston Baptist defeated Howard, 1-0, while North Dakota needed double overtime to win at Delaware State.

Houston Baptist 1, Howard 0

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Amina Radoncic's goal in the 24th minute was the only goal scored as the Houston Baptist recorded its fifth shutout of the season in defeating Howard, 1-0, Thursday in the Great West Conference opener for both teams.

Radoncic finished the match with two points, while Molly Missimer assisted on the Radoncic tally and earned one point. Radoncic, Natalie Hager and Arielle Rodriguez had a match-high two shots each.

Stephanie Castellon earned the win, making three saves in 90 minutes. The Husky defense held the Bison to just four shots, three on goal.

Jordan Brown, Retha Koefoed and Cynthia Snyder each had a shot on goal for Howard. Owyn Mason recorded a shot.

Kyra Dickinson took the loss in goal, making five saves in 90 minutes.

Radoncic's goal came midway through the opening half as Missimer sent a pass to Radoncic, who shot it past Dickinson.

HBU's defense kept Howard (1-8-1, 0-1 GWC) at bay, as the final Bison shot attempt came in the 51st minute.

The Huskies had an opportunity to score again in the 79th minute but Missimer's shot hit the cross bar.

HBU (6-7-0, 1-0-0 GWC) will conclude the weekend road trip at Delaware State on Saturday. Howard's next match will be a GWC tilt on October 6, when the Bison host South Carolina State.

North Dakota 2, Delaware State 1 (2OT)

DOVER, Del. ­-- North Dakota and Delaware State opened GWC action on Thursday with the Fighting Sioux getting a 2-1 double overtime win at Alumni Stadium.

Rachel Loomis scored both goals for North Dakota (4-5-2, 1-0-0 GWC).  , while the Hornets fall to 1-11-1 (0-1-0).

After a scoreless first half, Loomis was on the receiving end of a pass from Rhaya Ballon and sent it into the net to give the Sioux a 1-0 lead at 84:43.

Only 30 seconds later, Jeanetta Salgado answered for the Hornets (1-11-1, 0-1-0 GWC) for the late equalizer that would send the game to overtime.

Loomis would get the game-winner on an unassisted goal at 103:58.

UND outshot DSU 16-7, but both UND netminder Kristi Hestdalen and DSU backstop Katelyn Koslosky finished the game with five saves each.

Loomis led the Sioux with five shots while Noel Scherer, Megan Anderson and Ballon each contributed multiple shots in the game.

The Sioux return to conference play on Saturday at South Carolina State, while Delaware State will host Houston Baptist.