STERLING, Kan. – Hesston College struck early but couldn't hold off a relentless Sterling offense, falling 4-2 on the road Thursday afternoon (Sep. 4). The Larks wasted no time getting on the board when Rena Itoga netted her second goal of the season just 2:11 into the match, finishing a feed from Lissette Tovar. Hesston generated consistent pressure throughout the first half with seven shots and two corner kicks, but Sterling goalkeeper Bella Duckworth stood tall with four saves. The hosts equalized just before halftime, as Sterling's Jessica Gautreau scored in the 45th minute to send the match into the break tied 1-1.

Sterling came out firing in the second half, with Gautreau striking again at the 46:25 mark to give her team the lead. She completed her hat trick less than 10 minutes later, putting the Warriors up 3-1. The Larks responded quickly, with Trinity Garcia scoring her first goal of the season off her own rebound just 20 seconds later to cut the deficit to one. Hesston pressed for the equalizer, producing 10 second-half shots and earning three corners, but Sterling's attack wouldn't let up. Gautreau sealed the match with her fourth goal in the 81st minute.

Hesston finished with a 17-15 edge in total shots, led by Itoga's six attempts (four on target) and Garcia's two shots, both on frame. Tovar added two shots and the lone assist. Goalkeeper Ashleigh Williams recorded five saves over 90 minutes, three in the first half and two in the second.

The Larks will look to bounce back against Bethany College at home on Saturday (Sep. 6) at 5 p.m.