PORTSMOUTH, Ohio -- An inspiring effort, particularly on the defensive side of the pitch between seven saves from Harlee Brand and a backline that didn't flinch throughout much of the contest, allowed Shawnee State to battle with the River States Conference-leading Oakland City (Ind.) Mighty Oaks' women's soccer squad, with the Bears only allowing a 66th minute goal by Jana Mueller in a 1-0 loss Thursday evening at Shawnee Turf in a highly-competitive women's soccer match on both sides of the pitch.

In a physical contest that had 24 fouls, Shawnee State didn't flinch on either side of the pitch -- and nearly scored three times in the opening 21 minutes of the game as Annie Coriell's fourth minute shot sailed just high while another attempt by Coriell in the 18th minute and a beautiful ball by Elizabeth Brown in the 21st stanza that just missed off to the right highlighted the opening half of play offensively for the Bears.

Defensively, Brand was on point all game long -- as the sophomore made saves in the 15th, 32nd and 44th minutes of play in the first half as well as the 50th, 67th, 81st and 88th minutes in the second half of competition. Shawnee State's defense also blocked three different Oakland City shots over the course of the match, as well.

Robyn Drinkwater posted Shawnee State's official shots on goal on free kicks in the 45th and 82nd minutes of action, respectively -- testing Oakland City starting goalkeeper Alicia Garwood with a well-placed shot with just over eight minutes to go on a ball that Garwood was able to keep in front.

Shawnee State (3-9-1, 2-3 River States Conference) returns to action Saturday afternoon with a matchup against Brescia, Ky. (9-4, 4-2 River States Conference) at 1 p.m. on Oct. 18. The match will serve as Senior Day for the Bears' women's soccer program. Senior Day festivities are presently scheduled to take place following the match.

For more information on the Shawnee State women's soccer program, visit https://ssubears.com/sports/womens-soccer or check out Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/ssuwsoccer.