GREEN BAY, Wis.--Two early first period goals by Wisconsin-Green Bay were too much to overcome for North Dakota State. Despite a stronger second half, NDSU dropped its second game of the young season 3-0 at the Phoenix Field on August 29.

“The first 45 minutes, we weren't ready to match their intensity,” said head coach Pete Cuadrado. “We controlled the ball well after half time, but it was tough to come back after giving up early goals.”

Just six minutes and 15 seconds into the game, UW-Green Bay's Kari Olsen electrified the home crowd of 236 with a one-timer from teammate Stephanie Gross. She beat Bison goalkeeper Katie Stombaugh (Mendota Heights, Minn.) from three yards out. The true-freshman goalie impressed coach Cuadrado.

“Katie played awesome,” he said of Stombaugh's six save performance. “In the back, we have three freshmen and one upperclassman, so it's a real learning experience for our players.” Stombaugh, and defenders Chelsea Body (Calgary, Alberta) and Laura Hermanson (Burnsville, Minn.) are all first year players joining senior Brooke Hartman (Victoria, Minn.) on the back line.

Gross put the Phoenix up 2-0 at the 26:48 mark of the first half when she scored unassisted. UW-Green Bay out shot the Bison 14-2 in the first half.

After some readjustments, the Bison opened the second half with much better control. UW-Green Bay managed just six shots to NDSU's four. But at 51:47 Natalie Brown used inside positioning to hip check the Phoenix's third goal into the net. The final goal capped off a busy day for sophomore Gross who assisted on the play again.

UW-Green Bay led in total shots (20-6) and shots on goal (9-1). NDSU sophomore Sarah Panzer's (Burnsville, Minn.) lone chance was turned away by Phoenix goalie Ryann Werner.

After two opening losses, coach Cuadrado has seen some differences between Division II and Division I soccer. “There's definitely a difference, but we have to learn to match the level of speed and talent that we're seeing.”

“We're still looking for people to play consistently to build a solid starting lineup.”

North Dakota State (0-2-0) returns to action Friday, September 3, when they travel to Western Illinois. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m in Macomb, Ill. They finish off their second road trip Sunday, September 5, at Drury.