ROUND ROCK, Texas – Marissa Funk and Jenna Townsley each netted a goal in the final ten minutes, bringing the score to within one, but the Concordia Texas women's soccer team fell short in their spectacular comeback effort, ultimately dropping the season opener 3-2 to Houston-Victoria.
 
The Tornados suffered three goals in the first 60 minutes, falling behind 3-0, and were unable to overcome the deficit despite a tremendous effort down the stretch. Both Funk and Townsley netted their first career goals, with Funk's coming in her collegiate debut.
 
The Jaguars' first score came in the 13th minute, converting their third shot of the match and taking a 1-0 lead.
 
Kallie Krenz was on the attack early, recording shots in the 13th, 17th, and 19th minutes, the last of which was on-goal but kept out with a strong effort from the Jaguars' keeper.
 
In the 36th minute, UHV struck again, netting another goal and extending their lead to 2-0.
 
Kaley Kaspar fired another shot in the 40th minute, pressing the CTX offensive attack, but the Tornados were unable to cut into the first-half deficit. At the midway point, Concordia Texas trailed 2-0.
 
In the second half, the Tornados started aggressively as Patricia Heckendorn and Lauren Wenzel fired a pair of shots on-goal in the 47th and 53rd minute, requiring saves from the UHV keeper to keep the score at 2-0.
 
The Jaguars extended their lead to 3-0 when they found the back net with a goal in the 59th minute.
 
A red card for CTX in the 77th minute saw them playing with 10 players for the remainder of the contest, but they battled through the adversity and cut into UHV's 3-0 advantage.
 
Funk scored the first of two Tornado points, the first goal of her career coming in the 80th minute with fellow freshman Addi Taylor assisting on the play, another career first.
 
Just five minutes later, Townsley notched her first career goal after an assist from Falynn Pyterek. It is also the first assist of Pyterek's career, coming in her collegiate debut.
 
The Tornados' comeback effort came too late, and they ultimately fell 3-2 to Houston-Victoria in their season opener.
 
Concordia Texas will hit the road for their next match, traveling to San Antonio, Texas for a match with Our Lady of the Lake on Friday at 12 pm.