HICKORY, NC – The Newberry College women's soccer team battled hard on the road but came up short in a 2-1 loss to Lenoir-Rhyne on Saturday evening in South Atlantic Conference play at the Moretz Sports Complex.

After falling behind midway through the first half, the Wolves responded after the break when Natalie Ruiz found the back of the net in the 60th minute, converting her only shot of the match to tie the game at 1-1. The goal marked Ruiz's second of the season and continued her streak of scoring in back-to-back contests.

The Bears regained the lead seven minutes later and held on despite Newberry's late push, which included two corner kicks and four total shots on goal. Madison Gutierrez made two saves in the match, while defenders Emily Castaneda, Sydney Gusewelle, and Avalina Espinoza anchored a back line that held Lenoir-Rhyne to just four shots on target

With the result, the Wolves move to 5-2-1 overall and 1-2 in SAC play, as they head into their next match on the road vs. Coker at 7pm on Wednesday.