NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Earlham College women's soccer took its best shot at opening the 2019 season with back-to-back wins, but host St. Mary's College (Ind.) played the role of spoiler and defeated the visiting Quakers, 3-2, on Sunday afternoon at the Purcell Athletic Fields.

St. Mary's took an early 1-0 lead on Rose Stackhouse's goal in the fourth minute, but Earlham responded with a score from Eva Lyon in the 18th minute to tie things up at 1-1. Hannah Wallhausser and Emma Jones combined to play the ball forward to Lyon, and were each credited with an assist.

The Belles struck again in the 34th minute when Lexi Trombly beat Quaker keeper Micah Nicholson to put St. Mary's up 2-1.

Stackhouse scored with an unassisted marker in the 67th minute, extending the Belles' lead to 3-1.

Hailey Beel scored in the 80th minute, with assists from Raven McCree and Emma Bisard, to cut the margin to 3-2, but the Quakers were unable to find the equalizer down the stretch.

St. Mary's narrowly outshot Earlham, 11-10, and had five corner kicks to the Quakers' three. Nicholson and Mel Johnson combined for six saves in the Earlham goal.

Earlham women's soccer returns to action on Wednesday, Sept. 4, when it head to Berea College for a non-conference matchup. Start time is slated for 5:00 p.m.