ORANGE CITY, Iowa – It was a great way to open conference play.

The College of Saint Mary soccer team took the road trip to Orange City, Iowa, to face Northwestern College in the Flames' Great Plains Athletic Conference opener. And the Flames walked away with a 2-1 victory.

"In conference play, you need to do enough to win and we did that tonight," CSM Coach Jordan Irsik said of the Wednesday night match. "To get two goals immediately was exactly how we wanted to start and we played well to win it out.

"We definitely had more opportunities. It's a great start to conference play."

Marissa Ring (FR/Neola, Iowa) scored her first collegiate goal for the Flames to give CSM the early lead at 5:35. Teammate Aubrey Vancura (SO/Kearney, Neb.) earned the assist.

"Aubrey dribble into the corner, crossed it in and Marissa volleyed it," Irsik said.

The Flames didn't wait long to score again as Vancura got her own goal roughly two minutes later. Courtney Kosch (SR/Columbus, Neb.) earned the assist.

"Kosch crossed it in, deflected by defender and Aubrey finished it upper 90," Irsik said.

Northwestern added one goal at 55:14 when Alexa Johnson found the back of the net. Raiders' teammate Katie Jacob was credited with the assist.

Gabby Felker (JR/Omaha, Neb.) started in goal for the Flames. She had two assists in the opening half. Teammate Alivia Schade (SO/Kearney, Neb.) was in net for the second half and didn't record any saves.

CSM is now 1-0 in GPAC play and 4-1-1 overall. The Flames return to action Saturday with a 1 p.m. home contest vs. Dordt University.