RICHARDSON, Texas — The La Verne women's soccer team played about as well as it could for 100 minutes.
But a momentary defensive lapse just seconds into the second overtime led to a St. Thomas (Minn.) goal and the Leopards lost, 1-0, on Saturday night at the University of Texas-Dallas Soccer Field.
Just 33 seconds into the second overtime, St. Thomas's Mallory DeBoom played a nice through ball up the middle to Brielle Bierman, who tucked it into the lower left corner to win the game for the Tommies.
Despite a tough schedule that included the season opener on Thursday night and a 6 a.m. flight crossing two time zones Friday morning, the Leopards did not show any signs of wear and played their best soccer of early going.
They dominated possession, connected passes and were poised in defense. La Verne registered nine shots on goal compared to four by St. Thomas and had multiple quality chances but just could not find the finishing touch.
Alexa Smith forced a save from St. Thomas goalie Tarynn Theilig five minutes into the game and a couple minutes later, launched a dangerous shot from about 25 yards out that just missed the upper left corner.
Lauran Redding had perhaps the best chance of the first half when she collected a second ball from about 10 yards out and rocketed one towards goal in the 22nd minute. But Theilig denied the Leopards with a jumping one-handed save.
The Leopards kept creating opportunities in the second half while holding the Tommies to just one shot on goal. In the 50th minute, Redding played a perfect ball to Kindal Cuback who was streaking forward from midfield and Cubak had a good look at the goal but her effort was saved by Theilig.
Jessica Hernandez had a solid header off a corner kick saved in the 70th minute and Cambria Smith made an explosive run down the right side from the back line and turned the corner on marker but had her attempt blocked in the 73rd minute.
Hernandez led the Leopards with five attempts at goal and Cubak had three shots.
The Leopards won't have much time to dwell on the loss. La Verne kicks off against host UT Dallas tomorrow at 1 p.m. CT/11 a.m. PT.
