WINFIELD, Kan. — Southwestern College women's soccer put together one of its strongest defensive performances of the season Tuesday evening, battling Friends University for 90 minutes before falling 1-0. 

The Moundbuilders held Friends scoreless for more than 84 minutes while creating several opportunities of their own. Southwestern finished with nine shots, including six on goal, in a tightly contested match.

Southwestern created several chances throughout the opening half and finished with five shots before the break. Amiyah Baker recorded a shot on goal in the 28th minute, while the Moundbuilders added three more shots on goal over the final eight minutes of the half. The two sides went into halftime scoreless.

The Moundbuilders continued to hold strong defensively after the break as Friends increased its pressure. Southwestern kept the Falcons from finding the back of the net through several stretches of pressure and kept the match scoreless deep into the second half.

Southwestern put together another push late in the match. Millie Hazzard recorded a shot on goal in the 82nd minute, followed by back-to-back corner kicks and another opportunity from Abigail Webb.

Friends eventually broke through in the 85th minute when Kieley Aranda scored to give the Falcons a 1-0 lead. Southwestern continued looking for the equalizer and got one final shot from Baker in the 88th minute, but could not find the tying goal.

Despite the result, Southwestern showed improvement on both ends of the field. The Moundbuilders created opportunities throughout the match while keeping Friends off the scoreboard until the final six minutes. The loss moves Southwestern to 1-5 overall and 0-1 in KCAC play.

Southwestern will return to action Saturday, Sept. 19, as the Moundbuilders travel to York, Neb., to take on York University. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. at the York Soccer Complex.