STEVENS POINT, Wis. - Freshman forward Erika Hess (Green Bay, Wis.) scored off an assist from midfielder Gina La Macchia (Mequon, Wis.) at the 80:42 mark but it wasn't quite enough as the Carroll University women's soccer team lost to No. 25-ranked University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point 2-1 in a nonconference showdown at the Point Soccer Bowl on Wednesday afternoon.
It was the fourth loss by a one-goal margin this season for Carroll, which dropped to 2-5-3 overall following the inspired effort.
Sophomore defender Kaitlyn Hess scored two goals, including what proved to be the game-winning shot assisted by junior forward Maddy Hardyman in the 63rd minute for UW-Stevens Point - which improved to 7-1-1 overall.
On Carroll's lone goal of the gritty contest in the 80th minute, La Macchia served a free kick into the box, Hess won a scramble for the ball and finished with a quick shot to the back post.
The young, determined Pioneers attempted two shots and a corner kick within the final two minutes but came up empty on the opportunities.
Hess and senior defender Kimmy Wiley (Kewaunee, Wis.) each generated two shots on goal for Carroll, which outshot the high-octane Pointers 13-12 but yielded a critical 7-5 shot-on-goal margin.
Junior goalkeeper Christina O' Block (Libertyville, Ill.) registered five saves in playing the entire 90 minutes for the Pioneers.