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ALAMOSA, Colo. (Sept. 5) -- The Central Washington University women's soccer team outshot host Adams State University, 15-6, but the Wildcats were unable to find the back of the net in a 2-0, season-opening loss to the Grizzlies on Thursday afternoon.

CWU was looking for its first season-opening victory since 2007 with its debut in Alamosa on Thursday. The Wildcats are now 0-4-2 in their last six season openers.

The Wildcats had plenty of offensive opportunities in their first-ever soccer meeting with Adams State, which competes in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. However, CWU fell behind at the 13th minute on a bouncing ball that got through the defense, with Allie Mercado scoring to give the Grizzlies a 1-0 lead. That proved to be the only shot attempt that Wildcat goalkeeper Kayla Lipston (Federal Way/Decatur HS) would see in the first half, while CWU had nine attempts prior to halftime.

"It doesn't happen too often that we outshoot our opponent 9-1 in the opening half," said CWU head coach Michael Farrand. "We misplayed the ball defensively in the half, which is what allowed (Adams State) to get its goal."

The deficit reached 2-0 within the opening minute of the second half, with Mercado again finding the back of the net. Her tally came off a corner kick by Laci Jones at the 46th minute, scoring just 31 seconds into the period on what was just the second shot of the match by the Grizzlies.

"We were OK offensively, but we have some question marks on defense that we have to shore up," Farrand said. "Overall, we weren't as efficient as we needed to be in playing our game at both ends of the field, and we weren't as consistent as we needed to be over the full 90 minutes."

Junior tri-captain Savanna Moorehouse (Bonney Lake) spearheaded the Wildcats' offensive efforts, attempting five shots at the Adams State goal, while junior Danielle Brandli (Bellevue/Interlake HS) and Cassie Ripley (Vancouver/Skyview HS) had three attempts apiece.

"Danielle (Brandli) played well for us," Farrand explained, "and Kayla (Lipston) communicated well in the goal for us."

CWU will continue its three-match non-conference swing on Saturday night, visiting New Mexico Highlands University in a first-ever match-up with the Cowgirls in Las Vegas, N.M. Match time is slated for 7 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time (6 p.m. Pacific).