The Misericordia University women's soccer team went toe-to-toe with the number-four team in nation in Thursday's season opener, but the Cougars came out on the short end of a hard-fought 1-0 loss to William Smith.

The Herons tallied the only goal of the game on a an own-goal on a corner kick in the final minute of the first half.

Freshman Jess Anderson made three saves in her first collegiate start in goal for the Cougars.

The Cougars and Herons were locked in a scoreless battle for most of the first half until William Smith's Madeline Buckley took a corner with under a minute to play.

Anderson leapt above the crowd in front of the net in attempt to clear the ball, but her deflection ended up in the back of the net and gave Wm. Smith a 1-0 lead.

MU had two solid scoring chances late earlier in the half.

In the 28th minute, Laura Roney kept the ball alive near the sideline deep in her own end. Roney made a nice pass to Sam Helmstetter who found Emily Esposito who grounded a shot wide right.

Three minutes later, Roney's direct kick from 25 yards out was saved by a diving Amanda Davis to keep the game scoreless.

The Herons had the first opportunity of the match just three minutes into the game on a potential breakaway, but Anderson came off her line to make a nice clear.

Anderson kept MU in the match with a diving save of Whitney Frary's one-timer in the 74th minute. She stopped Kate Redmond's point-blank attempt four minutes later.

The Cougars had an opportunity in the closing minutes following a Herons off sides infraction. MU served the ensuing ball deep, but Herons goalie Amanda Davis came off her line to corral the ball and preserve the shutout.

Misericordia will visit York, Sunday at 1:00.