A furious second half rally by the Culver-Stockton women's soccer team came up short in a 4-3 loss to Mount Mercy University Wednesday night at Ellison Poulton Stadium in Canton.

The Wildcats found themselves in a 4-0 hole at the intermission after the Mustangs put eight of their first half shots on frame. Outshot 9-4 in the opening half, the Wildcats came out in the second half determined to make it a contest.

Alyson Smith got C-SC on the board in the 53rd minute when she took a pass from Lexi Clark, turned a hit a laser to the far post for her first collegiate goal of her career.

Smith also had a hand in the Wildcats' second goal when she found Halle Jennex at the top of the penalty area. Jennex settled the pass and then drilled a low line drive to the left of the Mustang goalkeeper to cut the lead to 4-2.

C-SC, which outshot the Mustangs 14-5 in the second half and 19-14 overall, continued to get chances after chance in the half. The Wildcats totaled eight corner kicks in the final 45 minutes and held an 11-6 edge in that category.

The Wildcats, who had just two shots on goal in the first half, finished with nine shots overall. However, Mount Mercy was able to keep the Wildcats at an arm's distance until Clark picked up a rebound after Alex Collao hit the crossbar and scored with just six seconds left in the game to pull C-SC to within 4-3.

C-SC, now 4-3-1 overall and 1-3-0 in the Heart, is slated to play at sixth-ranked Missouri Valley College this Saturday, Sept. 20, in Marshall, Mo. Game time is set for 1 p.m.