UCM defender Mallory Milburn (right) heads an SBU crossing pass away from the Jennies' goal during the first half of Wednesday's game. (Photo by Dave Kopp)

WARRENSBURG, Mo. -- "If this keeps up, we're going to change back."

Assistant Athletic Director Kathy Anderson was only joking. Wasn't she?

Anderson's quip came just moments after the Jennies' soccer team lost its first game under the University of Central Missouri moniker, a 2-0 setback at the feet of Southwest Baptist Wednesday at the South Recreation Complex. The soccer match concluded less than an hour after the Jennies' volleyball team was swept 3-0 by Truman State at Kirksville in its UCM debut.

Of course, no one really thinks the university's name change, which was voted upon and immediately put into effect by the Board of Governors earlier in the day, had anything to do with the outcome of either match.

Do they?

Jennies' forward Hazel Cox (30) winds up for a shot as Darla Zarndt of Southwest Baptist defends during the second half of Wednesday's match. (Photo by Dave Kopp)

In any case, SBU scored both of its goals in the first eight minutes of the second half. Amy Swallow popped a floater just under the crossbar from 25 yards out for the first goal at 48:59.

Just less than four minutes later, Ann Meenagh took advantage of a turnover and slid the ball from the left side just inside the far post to make it 2-0.

Central Missouri attacked and had numerous scoring opportunities, but could not find the back of the net. The Jennies out shot SBU 15-9 and forced five corner kicks to just one for the Bearcats.

"I think we did the things to be successful tonight," UCM head coach Geoff VanDeusen said. "SBU is a very good team. They're going to win a lot of games this year and the ball didn't bounce our way tonight. We applied tremendous pressure, we got some great opportunities on goal, it just didn't happen tonight."

UCM goal keeper Elizabeth Casey makes a diving save during the first half of Wednesday's game against Southwest Baptist. (Photo by Dave Kopp)

"We had good passes and we were doing our thing, but some nights it doesn't fall for you," added junior defender Kelsi Ginavan. "We had tons of opportunities, we just couldn't put it in the back of the net and that's what it's all about. It doesn't matter how hard you play defense if you can't score."

However, the Bearcats were able to apply almost equal pressure with an outstanding transition game, according to VanDeusen.

"What SBU does well is they get numbers behind the ball and make it incredibly difficult to attack," VanDeusen said. "Once they win possession of the ball, they get their numbers forward. Their transition game was fantastic and I think that was the difference in the game."

Southwest Baptist goal keeper Aline Lopes made five saves to earn the shutout. Elizabeth Casey made four saves in goal for UCM, including a stop diving to her right in to foil SBU's best scoring chance of the first half.

Central Missouri's Erin Hainey moves toward the Southwest Baptist goal during the second half of Wednesday's game. Hainey had two of the Jennies' five shots on goal. (Photo by Dave Kopp)

The loss was Central Missouri's first at home since a 2-0 defeat by Washburn exactly one year earlier, Sept. 20, 2005.

It's also the Jennies' second straight setback after starting the campaign with a school record six straight wins and UCM fell to 1-2 in MIAA matches. Southwest Baptist improved to 4-1-2, 2-1 in MIAA play.

Wednesday's match was the first of five straight at home. The Jennies will try to bounce back Saturday when they host Missouri Southern.

"We're just going to keep working on the things we're doing and working hard in practice," Ginavan said. "Everybody needs to keep their confidence up and just take one game at a time."

"We need to keep our heds high and stay confident," Van Deusen added. "We did the things to be successful tonight and it just didn't bounce our way."

Kickoff Saturday is set for 1 p.m.

Truman Sweeps Volleyball Jennies

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. -- It's a long bus ride from Warrensburg to Kirksville. The ride home probably seemed twice as long for the Central Missouri volleyball squad, who were never in a 3-0 rout by Truman State.

The ninth ranked Jennies, who won their final 11 matches as Central Missouri State, were drummed out of Pershing Arena 30-14, 30-21, 30-22 in their first match as the University of Central Missouri.

UCM had nearly as many errors (27) as kills (29), posting a kill percentage of .016. In the first and third games, the Jennies were even in kills and attacking errors.

Lauren Nuckolls led Central Missouri (15-3, 3-1 MIAA) with seven kills while Brooke Butler had six kills and Jillian Ohrman had five kills. Katie Tarka made 15 digs, Audrey Jensen had 13 digs and Ashlei Jandrey recorded 15 set assists.

Sarah Shearman led Truman (15-1, 4-0) with 14 kills and 12 digs.

The Jennies travel to Hays, Kan. to face Fort Hays State on Saturday. Game one begins at 2 p.m.