CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa --- University of St. Francis broke out offensively, but still came up on the short end of a 4-3 decision to Mount Mercy College (Iowa) on Friday afternoon as the hosts delivered on four of their six shots on goal.

USF, which came into the contest having scored just one goal in its first three games combined, trailed 2-1 after the first 45 minutes on Friday. But within the first eight minutes of the second half, the Saints had their first lead of the season behind goals from senior midfielder Caitlin Byrnes (Plainfield South H.S./Joliet, IL) and sophomore forward Erin Voss (Nazareth Academy/Elmhurst, IL). For Voss, it was her second unassisted goal of the afternoon. Earlier, she tied the contest at one-all with her first goal of the season at the 35:34 mark.

Mackenzie Skay also had a two-goal contest for Mount Mercy with her second goal coming with just under four minutes remaining in the first half to give the Mustangs a 2-1 lead at the break.

Byrnes countered with her goal on an assist from freshman defender Debbie Rios (Joliet Township H.S./Joliet, IL) just 59 seconds into the second half to tie the contest at 2-2.

Like USF, Mount Mercy put together back-to-back goals in rapid succession midway through the second half with its second of the two goals less than six minutes after the first eventually being the game winner at the 69:47 mark. Caitlin Smith delivered the blow to the Saints on a feed from Maggie McMurrin.

The loss was a frustrating one for the Saints, who outshot Mount Mercy 19-13 overall and 13-6 on goal.

USF, still winless on the season at 0-4, will look to rebound Sunday afternoon when they host Notre Dame College (OH) at 3 p.m. at the Galowich YMCA Soccer Complex.