Box Score

COLUMBUS – Playing in its third game in four days, the Capital University women's soccer team struggled to find an offensive rhythm Monday, falling against Thomas More 2-0 in non-conference action at Bernlohr Stadium.

The loss was the first for the Crusaders (1-2 overall) at Bernlohr since Oct. 9, 2010. Capital, which won the Ohio Athletic Conference Tournament championship and reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament last season, was 7-0-2 in home games a year ago.

The Saints (2-0), who also reached the 2011 NCAA Tournament, put five shots on goal and tallied 17 total, compared with two and five, respectively, for the Crusaders.

"I give a lot of credit to Thomas More," Capital coach Chris Kouns said. "They had a presence and a mentality we knew they were going to bring. They are an NCAA team, and they act like it.

"It was a challenge playing our third game in four days. Unfortunately, we didn't bring our best effort, and you have to do that to beat a team like this."

Junior goalkeeper Maggie Donnellan (Cincinnati, Ohio) totaled three saves. Senior Alexa Bosanac (Strongsville, Ohio; at right) recorded three of the Crusaders' five shots.

Kouns lauded the play in the second half of junior Holly Phillips (Bellbrook, Ohio) and freshman Kim Hoerauf (Worthington, Ohio), as well as the performance of junior Corey McClellan (Columbus, Ohio).

"Throughout the game, Corey continued to be a real warrior," Kouns said. "Even when she wasn't playing as clean as she can play, there was absolutely no doubt about Corey's effort and determination."

Capital resumes play this weekend as it hosts the Fort Rapids Invitational at Bernlohr Stadium. The Crusaders take on Johnson & Wales (R.I.) Friday at 4 p.m. before playing Adrian (Mich.) on Sunday at 1 p.m.

"We're young and we're still looking for an attacking identity," Kouns said. "Some days we have it, some days we don't, and that's something we have to fix."