COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. --- The Western Colorado women's soccer team opened its season with a 5-1 loss to UCCS on Sunday afternoon at Mountain Lion Stadium.
 
The Mountaineers (0-1) picked up their goal in the 60th minute when sophomore Caileen Sienknecht scored to cut the defending RMAC champions' lead to 3-1. But the Mountain Lions (1-0) – who started last season 19-0 and were ranked No. 1 in the nation at one point in 2019 - bounced back with two goals in the next 10 minutes to make the final 5-1. 

UCCS took a quick 1-0 lead with a goal in the fourth minute followed by a goal in the 36th minute to make it 2-0 at the half. The Mountain Lions scored a third goal just 38 seconds into the second half before Sienknecht's goal 14 minutes later.

The Mountaineers finished with seven shots - three on goal - with Laura Pelino taking three shots and Sienknecht taking two. UCCS finished with 28 shots - 14 of which were on goal. Tori Maydew led UCCS with two goals while Amelia Junge had a goal and an assist.

Western Colorado returns to action Saturday as it travels to take on Colorado Mesa in a non-RMAC matchup - the first of two straight against the Mavericks as they also host CMU on March 19.