RIVERSIDE, Calif.—The UC Riverside Women's Soccer team suffered a heartbreaking 2-0 loss Thursday night against Hawai'i on the road, ending its hopes of making the Big West Conference tournament.

In the 73rd minute on a cross by UH that just got past UCR goalie Annie Bailey, the ball bounced off the chest of Sarah Lau to barely go through the goal. Then in the 78th minute, Raisa Strom-Okimoto belted a shot past Bailey for her 12th goal of the season.

It marked a surprising turn of events for the Highlanders (11-3-3, 2-3-2) after allowing no shots on goal in the first half. For Bailey, it was the first time this season she allowed two goals in a match. Coming into the game, she'd allowed just four goals on the season.

With a tournament berth on the line for both schools, each team came out a little nervous to begin the game, but in the second half, both teams turned things up a notch, with Hawai'i coming out on top.

One of UCR's best chances to score came in the 21st minute after a foul by UH. After the ball bounced off a few Highlanders in the middle of the box, forward Nerisse Bugho hit a soft shot at UH goalie Alexis Mata, but it was saved.

The Highlanders ended the night with five shots, including three on goal, but all of those were in the first half.

It may be a hard loss for the Highlanders to swallow, but it shouldn't discount the season they've had. The team began its season 10-0-2, before taking its first loss vs. UC Santa Barbara on Oct. 7.

UCR will finish its season on Sunday against UC Davis.