DURANGO - It's been a season of firsts for the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs'brand-new women's soccer program. On Friday, though, the Mountain Lions experienced the one first they'd hoped to avoid their first loss.

Goalkeeper Amie Kern made 14 saves, but UCCS was nonetheless beaten 2-1 by the Fort Lewis Skyhawks at Dirks Field in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference opener for both teams.

Not coincidentally, the Mountain Lions' first loss came with their first road match. Few on UCCS' freshman-laden squad had ever driven six hours to play a match.

"It was our first travel game," said UCCS coach Nichole Rick. "The girls need to find a way to be able to travel and still come out and play our game.

"We came out flat."

And that would prove costly in logging another first the first goal allowed by UCCS (2-1-1). Previously, the Mountain Lions had not allowed a goal this season, a span of three matches and 290 minutes. They extended that streak to 307 minutes before Fort Lewis' Kourtney Hull found the back of the net.

In the second half, the Mountain Lions experienced, again for the first time, some of the other disadvantages of playing on the road. Fort Lewis (3-2) was awarded two penalty kicks, the first of which Kim Sisneros converted in the 69th minute to give the Skyhawks a 2-0 lead.

After UCCS freshman Becca Scheele converted a Jessika Williams pass in the 74th minute to cut the deficit in half, the Mountain Lions had a breakaway opportunity that could have tied the match. Fort Lewis' Jessica Otero, who was trailing the play, fell down, apparently injured. The play was immediately whistled dead, ending the UCCS scoring opportunity. Otero walked off the field without difficulty.

Defensively timid after the penalty kicks and offensively frustrated, the Mountain Lions never seriously threatened the rest of the way.

"Our girls need to learn how to not let things they can't control get in their heads," said Rick. "We've got to come out and play our game."