The confidence steadily grew for the Bowling Green State University women's soccer team through the second half of its NCAA tournament opener against Mississippi on Tuesday before the Falcons suffered an absolutely heartbreaking loss in a terrifically played game decided 4-3 in penalty kicks after no goals were scored in regulation or overtime.
Playing in Wilmington, N.C., the Falcons led 2-1 in the intense shootout session on goals from leading scorer Madi Wolfbauer and Nikki Cox.
But Ole Miss goalkeeper Ashley Orkus, the Southeastern Conference goalkeeper of the year, then stopped three of the next four BG shooters to clinch the win for the Rebels.