STEUBENVILLE, Ohio- In the last game of their inaugural season, the Franciscan University Lady Barons fell to Baldwin Wallace University, 9-6. This was the Barons' second time facing the Yellow Jackets, and even though it was another loss, the Barons showed improvement by tying up the score twice and trailing just 3-2 at the half.

"Any loss is disappointing, but I am so proud of the girls," head coach Maura Conant said. "We wanted to do better than last time, and we went out with a bang."

To prepare for their final game against Baldwin Wallace, the Lady Barons focused on their shooting this past week.

"This week we have been practicing eight meter shots and three v. twos," Conant said.

The Barons wanted to keep the Yellow Jackets from scoring within the first five minutes and were able to achieve this goal by holding off Baldwin Wallace for the first nine minutes of play.

After working the ball around on offense for a few minutes, attackman Tracy McClelland rolled around the crease to score Franciscan's first goal 15 minutes into the first half. 

With 7 minutes left in the first half, attackman Meg Gargulinski tied up the score, 2-2, with a penalty shot that hit off the post. The Yellow Jackets answered with another goal, ending the first half up 3-2. 

Not wasting much time in the second half, the Yellow Jackets scored again, increasing their lead to two points. Midfielder Lauren Noce responded with two goals in two minutes to tie up the score, 4-4.

"Noce and Meg had excellent teamwork today. They were really on," Conant said. Noce and Gargulinski had two assists and goals with each other.

The Barons found themselves short a few players in the second half. Midfielder Rebeca Radzinski was ejected with 12 minutes to go in the game due to two yellow cards and was replaced by defender Rachel Michaud. Defender Jenna Gottemoller was taken out shortly into the second half because of a head injury and was replaced by Sarah Wampler.

"That hurt us," Conant said about Gottemoller. "She has a lot of speed on defense."

Despite another loss, Conant was proud of the team's hard work throughout the entire season and how much they have improved.

"I'm so proud of the girls from getting up at 5:30 every morning for practice in the beginning, to shoveling snow off the field," Conant said.

The Lady Barons finished their inaugural season with a record of 1-14, but despite a losing record, Conant was optimistic about next year's season.