It would have been easy to get down after a seven goal loss, however five days later the Point Park women's soccer team made steps towards improvement as conference play starts this weekend.

A 2-1 double overtime loss to Concordia University Saturday allowed for midfielder Louise Delaney to see the progress that has been made.

"We were more together as a team," Delaney said. "We took our mistakes from previous games and tried to fix them for this one. The intensity was very high."

The week started with a 7-0 loss last Monday at Mount Vernon Nazarene University.

For the third time this season, the Pioneers surrendered an early goal. The team was outshot 41-3 and allowed Cougars player Rachel Baker to score three goals, a hat trick in the first half.

Head coach Maggie Kuhn believed the Pioneers did not put forth their best effort in the contest.

"It was a disappointing game, but we deserved it because we didn't work," said Kuhn. "With our schedule the way it is, teams are going to expose us if we're not working. We have to more consistent and that's one of our problems."

Comparing the loss to Mount Vernon Nazarene to Saturday's result versus Concordia, midfielder Beth Millican reflected her team's effort as "night and day" although believes it will still improve.

"When everyone's confidence gets up, more shots will be taken," Millican said. "We've had a few rough games, so it was nice to get into those positions at least."

For the majority of the first half, Point Park controlled both the momentum and possession. In doing so scored its first goal at home this season, a Delaney goal which came right after an Audra Lewis shot was saved.

Although Concordia scored a little over three minutes later the teams were tied at one after 45 minutes of play. This pleased Kuhn.

"That was the best first half we've had since I was hired," said Kuhn. "We've always been very reactive instead of proactive in terms of how we came out."

In the second half, the pace became much quicker and the pressure was on goalkeeper Erica Roney to keep the Pioneers in the game and she was able to stop eight shots.

The teams were tied after 90 minutes of regulation which meant that a 10 minute overtime was to be played and if that did not result in a winner, then another 10 minute overtime would be played. If that did not determine a winner, the game would be ruled a tie.

One overtime did not change the score, however just over three minutes into the second overtime Concordia found the back of the net as Julia Palushaj beat Roney.

The loss for Point Park was a tough one for Millican and her teammates to take.

"We dominated for the first 90 minutes and also in the first period of extra time," said Millican. "To lose it by just a tiny lapse of concentration was just horrible. We did not deserve to lose this game."

Kuhn was quick to credit Roney's effort in the contest.

"She made brilliant saves to keep us in the game," Kuhn said. "You can't fault her for the two goals. She did her job and we have to do our job of helping offensively to try and take some of the pressure off her."

Point Park traveled Tuesday to face West Virginia Tech. It will host Walsh Thursday at 4:30 and will wrap up a four games in eight days schedule with a noon match-up against Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference opponent Rio Grande.