TORRANCE, Calif. – A defensive battle turned against Argo soccer for just a moment, but that moment was the difference in a 1-0 loss to #21 Marymount California University.
 
Other than that one moment, the Argo backline performed admirably well against a talented Mariner attack. Without the presence of injured starting center back Rasmus Madsen, senior Sam Howard and freshman Ole Cloppenburg showed exciting chemistry and poise in the center of the UGF defense.
 
Both backs were excellent in the air and made crucial stops inside the penalty box to prevent goal scoring chances. They also looked more composed under pressure than in the team's prior game against #11 Biola University. Their efforts, and the efforts of outside backs Anthony Mota and Edgar Ortiz limited MCU to just 4 shots on goal despite the Mariners having significant chunks of possession throughout the game.
 
The first half saw Marymount take control early, but the Argos fought back with majority of the possession as the half came to a close. Both teams found a few early chances, with the Mariners forcing UGF keeper Marc Girones to make 3 saves while Argo forward Christoffer Bisbo tallied UGF's first shot on goal of the season.
 
A yellow card on the Mariners for a blatant shirt pull of freshman George Holloway during a counterattack kicked off the second half, but just ten minutes later MCU got its goal. The score came after a shot deflected off of a UGF defender and fell right to the feat of another Mariner forward with no one but Girones in front of him.
 
Falling behind seemed to light a fire under the Argos, however, and for the rest of the match UGF played its best soccer of the year. Substitute forwards Mohamed Oulare, Ian Ooko, and Christopher Chavez brought new energy offensively and an increase in pressure from the team as a whole led to more possession.
 
Oulare had the team's best look at the net, with a hard, shallow angle shot from the near left side. The ball didn't find the back of the net but it did dangerously rebound off of the MCU goalkeeper where another UGF player couldn't had an easy goal but there was no in the area.
 
The Argos earned a few corner kicks in the finals minutes but Marymounts tall center backs deftly handled the balls in the air.
 
The loss brings UGF to 0-2 with both losses coming to quality ranked opponents. The Argos will fly back to Great Falls, Montana with a week to train before the team's third and final non-conference game, a September 11 home opener at 11 a.m. against Embry-Riddle (Ariz.).