SAN ANTONIO -- Midwestern State's Allessandra Romano scored her first collegiate goal Saturday afternoon at Sigma Beta Chi Field.

But it wasn't enough to overcome a two-goal, halftime deficit as the Mustangs fell to St. Mary's in Lone Star Conference play.

Romano, a junior transfer from Jacksonville State, finished off MSU's counter-attack with a flying header in the goal area to pull MSU to within a goal with just over three minutes to play.

But the Rattlers hung on to improve to 4-2-4 for the season, while moving to 3-1 in league play.

Freshman Ashlynn Knight struck up the counter with a pass into space to spring senior Cassidy Savoy on a run into the offensive third. Savoy sent a pass to the left forward channel allowing Lexi Beck to record her third assist on a service into the goal area.

St. Mary's took advantage of a pair of restarts in the first half to take control of the match.

Sophomore midfielder Shelby Paniagua had a hand in both scores. She served a brilliant ball from the left corner in the 24th minute which was finished by Love' Tovar on a cleanly headed shot back across the face of the goal to give the Rattlers an early lead.

Paniagua made the Mustangs pay on a free kick from 30 yards out in the 40th minute, scoring her fifth goal of the season on a strike just below the crossbar right in the center of the net.

Paniagua's scoring strike came just moments after Midwestern State defender Maya Warrior received a yellow card for a dangerous challenge on St. Mary's senior forward Juni Ejere.

Midwestern State (5-3-2, 2-2 LSC) takes on St. Edward's in a Lone Star Conference match Saturday afternoon at Stang Park. Kickoff is set for noon.
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