FORT WAYNE, Ind.--The North Dakota State women's soccer team fell 2-1 in two overtimes to IPFW on August 27 at the Hefner Soccer Complex.

The season opener for both teams was delayed 27 minutes at the outset and 46 minutes in the first half due to lightning.

IPFW freshman Melissa Ellisen got the Mastodons on the board first at the 26 minute mark of the first half, picking up a loose ball in the box and beating Bison goal keeper Katie Stombaugh (Mendota Heights, Minn.) on the short side.

Trailing 1-0, the Bison got the equalizer in the 69th minute as freshman Kelsey Hohol (Calgary, Alberta) took a perfect feed from freshman Keri Blanchette (Burnsville, Minn.) and threaded the needle on the far side, past IPFW keeper Timeka Bailey.

The game would end at 1-all in regulation.

In the first overtime, Bailey came up huge for the Mastodons. With just minutes left in the first OT, the Bison's Laura Hermanson (Burnsville, Minn.) broke into the box all alone and tried to drive out wide. Bailey cut off the angle and made a sliding tackle to protect the tie.

"We did have chances," NDSU head coach Pete Cuadrado said. "We just have to take every advantage of those chances."

The game went to a second overtime, and with about 2:30 remaining, IPFW midfielder Kristy Arnett ripped a shot at Stombaugh. She made the save, but the rebound went right to the foot of Ellisen, who tapped home the game winner.

Coach Cuadrado reflected after the game. "I really liked the heart our team displayed. You have to give credit to IPFW. They made it count when they needed to."

IPFW outshot NDSU 12-11, with the Bison holding an advantage in shots on goal of eight to five. Hohol led the Bison with two shots on goal.

NDSU freshman Stombaugh played all 102 minutes of the contest and recorded three saves in the loss.

NDSU (0-1-0) will will play the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay on Sunday, August 29, at noon. The Phoenix were defeated in their opening match 2-1 by Northern Illinois.