Ottawa, KS - The Stephens College Stars traveled to Ottawa, KS to take on Ottawa Univerisity in their season opener. After a slow start in the first half, the Stars were able to pick up the pace in the second half with a strong offensive effort. With the loss, the Stars fall to 0-1 while the Ottawa Braves improve to 1-1.

Stephens got off to a slow start at they conceded a goal just four minutes into the first half. An Ottawa penalty shot found its way to the back of the net shortly after, pushing the Braves lead to 2-0 over the Stars. Four minutes later the Braves found the back of the net again, extending the lead to 3-0. Anya Castelli got the Stars on the board as she notched her first goal of the season 21 minutes into the contest, bringing the score to 1-3, still in favor of the Braves. The Stars and Braves battled defensively for the remainder of the first half. 

An early foul at the start of the second half by the Braves put Anya Castelli on the penalty line where she was able to capitalize and earn her second goal of the match and season, closing the Braves lead to 2-3. Stephens dominated the offense for the remainder of the second half, recording four team shots to the Braves' one. However, it would not be enough as the lone Braves shot made its way past Cordelia Dallam (JR/Camdenton, MO), pushing the Braves lead back to 4-2. With less than four minutes remaining, Olivia Wheeler (SO/Springfield, MO) put a great ball into the box off of a corner kick where Anya Castelli volleyed the ball into the top corner of the net, bringing the Stars back to within one, 3-4. As time expired, the Stars were unable to create any more offense and fell to the Braves 3-4.

Anya Castelli recorded all three goals for the Stars, while Wheeler recorded the one team assist. In goal, Dallam finished with one save. Stephens as a team recorded seven team shots, while holding the Braves to six. The Stars' offense put a lot of pressure on the Braves with Stephens finished the match with nine corners. 

The Stars return to action this Saturday, August 28th, when they travel to Bellevue, NE to take on the Bruins of Bellevue University. Game time is set for 3:00PM.