GLEN ELLYN, Ill. — The Milwaukee Area Technical College women's soccer team saw its best start in program history come to an end Wednesday, falling 1-0 on the road to College of DuPage.

The Stormers (5-1-1) entered the matchup unbeaten through six games, but a 24th-minute strike from DuPage's Mariel Lara, assisted by Carolina Carreon, proved to be the difference.

It is never easy to take a loss at any point in the season, but credit to coach Matt Hanna and the College of DuPage for being a well organized group," MATC head coach Aron "Buddy" Gentry said. "I think we made COD earn it today and battled until the end. That 24th minute goal was the difference maker."

MATC generated five shots in the contest — three in the first half and two in the second — but none slipped past DuPage goalkeepers Brooke Cutlip and Elizabeth Fried, who combined for three saves to secure the clean sheet. The Stormers' best scoring opportunities came from two shots on goal by forward Katelyn Haeft and another from Yocelin Valdez-Galindo.

DuPage controlled much of the attack, outshooting the Stormers 16-5 and forcing MATC goalkeeper Caroline Buczynski into nine saves. Despite the loss, Buczynski's performance kept MATC within striking distance throughout the match, turning away multiple second-half chances to give the Stormers an opportunity late. The defeat marked the first setback of the season for MATC, which had opened the year 5-0-1, the strongest start in program history.

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The Stormers (5-1-1) will look to regroup with an 11 a.m. road matchup against Joliet Junior College on Saturday.