Joplin, Mo. - Kicking off the 2013 season tonight at Hal Bodon Field, the Missouri Southern soccer team fell 4-1 to Southwestern Oklahoma State.

The Bulldogs (1-0-0), preseason favorites to repeat as conference champions out of the Great American Conference, would score two goals in the first half as Paige Doherty and Samantha Nunez would put the Bulldogs up a pair going into halftime.

The Lions (0-1-0) would respond quickly out the break as senior defender Dana Wilhelm would register her first goal of the year in the 52nd minute off an assist from sophomore forward Karley Thomas after a throw-in from senior forward Kelly White.

Southwestern Oklahoma would add back-to-back goals seven minutes later to increase their lead to 4-1 and despite a valent effort by the Lions at the end of the match, the Bulldogs would leave victorious.

Southern would register six shots on the night led by a pair from junior Courtney Fielden and one a piece from Kelsey Haist, Megan Jenisch, Wilhelm and Carly Cecil. Goalkeepers Abby Risner and Beth Hammons would split goaltending duties combining to make five saves on the evening.

The Lions return to action Sunday afternoon when they take on Augustana (S.D.) at noon from Hal Bodon Field.