In the final test of not only a tough four-game road conference stretch but all against ranked opponents, the Lady Bears hoped to close out the run on a high note Tuesday against the No. 12 Pearl River Lady Wildcats.
 
And despite making it a contest early on, Southwest couldn't hang on in the end, falling 4-1.
 
"Honestly, this is probably some of the more consistent soccer that we've played," Southwest head coach Nicole Cooper said. "We've possessed a lot which is good because it gives us some confidence heading into the last five matches on the schedule. We've played the hardest teams so now I think that we've set a good rhythm for the rest."
 
The Lady Bears (2-9, 0-6 MACCC) found themselves down 1-0 2:00 into the match following a Lady Wildcat goal. They pulled even just 1:00 later as Amari Simmons put one in the net on an assist from Caroline Barcelona.
 
That score stayed true for the next 41 minutes until Pearl River re-took the lead, putting Southwest down 2-1.
 
The Lady Bears tried to pull even in the second half, but the Lady Wildcats found more of the magic that they had in the first, netting two more goals.
 
Southwest returns home for its next match as the Lady Bears welcome in Hinds on Saturday at 6 p.m.