ARLINGTON HEIGHTS – Roosevelt allowed a goal in each half as it fell to Saginaw Valley State 2-0 in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference action Sunday afternoon at Morris Field.

The Lakers (0-3-2, 0-2-0 GLIAC) mostly kept the Cardinals at bay in the opening 20 minutes, containing them to the perimeter and effectively clearing the crosses into the box. Roxy Herrera was forced to make one save, diving to her right to corral a ball that looked to be curling away from the net.  The Cardinals scored in the 23^rd minute, and the pressure began to mount for the Lakers.

Roosevelt was able to stop Saginaw Valley State from scoring again in the first half with Herrera tipping one shot away from net and kicking another to her teammates to clear.
The teams traded chances to start the second half before the rainy conditions got the best of the Lakers. Ella Seuberling was called for a foul as the Cardinals player slipped in the box, and Saginaw Valley State converted the penalty kick.

With more than 30 minutes remaining, the Lakers asserted more pressure on the Cardinals half of the field. Roosevelt came close to scoring a handful of times, but put just two of its six shot attempts on frame in the match. Herrera finished the game with five saves as Saginaw Valley State put just seven shots on goal and attempted 20.

SO CLOSE: Roosevelt's three best chances to score Sunday did not count as shots on goal for the Lakers. Daisy Hernandez-Loya had a crack at goal from 25 yards out in the second half, but the swirling shot just went over the bar. Kyra Cruickshank thought she had scored in the 78^th minute to pull the Lakers back to within 2-1, but after some discussion, the referees called a foul on Aaliyah Leanos while she and the Cardinals goalkeeper went up for the ball. Then in the 86^th minute, a beautiful through ball put Kelsey Johnson in on goal, and her shot slammed off the left post.

PERRY STEPS UP: Bella Perry started at center back in place of Peyton Connelly, who was serving a red-card suspension, and was a constant presence on the Lakers back line. The freshman from Round Lake was quick to clear away any danger and was a deterrence for the Cardinals in the middle of the field. Perry also made several critical tackles to halt promising Saginaw Valley State attacks in her second appearance at the position at the collegiate level.

UP NEXT: Roosevelt's search for its first win of the season continues Friday at Morris Field when the Lakers welcome Northern Michigan for a 2 p.m. match.