REDLANDS, Calif. - The No. 18 Illinois Wesleyan University women's soccer team dropped its season opener in heartbreaking fashion at the hands of the University of Redlands Friday night, Aug. 30, at Farquhar Field. Sophomore Caelyn Steffens (Normal, Ill.-Normal Community HS) accounted for IWU's lone tally, but the Redlands scored late to hand the Titans a 2-1 setback.

IWU held advantages in shots (14 to 8), shots on goal (14 to 6), corners (5 to 4), and fouls (12 to 8), while Redlands owned an 11 to four edge in saves.

Steffens opened up the scoring for both sides in the 19th-minute on a rebound from junior Cameron Hindel (Batavia, Ill.-Batavia HS). The Bulldogs answered with a strike four minutes before the break to knot the score at one apiece at halftime.

In search of the go-ahead goal, the Titans ripped a flurry of shots at goal but could not break through. Gaining possession near the corner in the 73rd-minute, the Bulldogs played a ball back and drilled a shot from 25 yards out to take a 2-1 advantage with just 20 minutes to go.

Despite a series of chances in the final minutes, the Titans dropped their season opener, 2-1.

The Titans continue their West Coast road swing tomorrow, Aug. 31, against Claremont-Mudds Scripps. Game time is schedule for 7 p.m. PT.