By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information

Brevard County, Fla.---The Owens Community College women's soccer team battled No. 2 Monroe College to a scoreless tie at halftime amid rain and a lightning delay, but Monroe (16-1) scored four second half goals to defeat Owens 4-0 in the first game of National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division I National Tournament pool play.

With 33 minutes left in the first half, the game was stopped for over an hour due to lightning. Heavy rain was falling throughout the contest, especially after the delay.

In the second half, Haley Malaczewski (Central Catholic/Toledo, Ohio) tried to clear a corner kick by Monroe, but ended up accidentally heading it into the Owens goal to give Monroe the game's first goal.

Monroe's offense picked up from there as they added goals in the 60th (Gabrielle Braga), 63rd (Melanie Formosa)and 69th minutes (Nicole Rivera) to pick up the win. Chelsie Randolph (Start/Toledo, Ohio) started in goal for Owens.

Monroe outshout Owens 25-2.

Despite today's loss, Owens got some good news as sophomore forward Amber Burnette (Oak Harbor/Graytown, Ohio) and freshman midfielder Lydia Yeager (Start/Toledo, Ohio) both returned to action. Yeager had not played since Oct. 12 (six games missed) and Burnette had not played since Sept. 21 (12 games missed).

Owens, which came into the game as the tournament's No. 11 seed, falls to 13-5-2 with the loss. They will close out pool play with a 4 p.m. matchup tomorrow against No. 7 seed Pima Community College.