CHARLOTTE – After falling behind by two goals in the first half, the Queens University of Charlotte women's soccer team retaliated with back-to-back goals in the span of under three minutes in the opening minutes of the second half, only ultimately came up short in its season opener, falling 3-2 to Lynn University from Dickson Field. 
 
Despite outshooting the Fighting Knights 23-7, including 13 shots on goal to Lynn's six, the Royals could not quite overcome the first-half deficit that left them trailing by two goals at the break. 
 
Queens, who started five freshmen, was led by a pair of first-year standouts in their first collegiate appearances. Forward Dani Diaz and midfielder Karen Juarez both notched their first career goals for the Royals, and within 2:22 of one another, suddenly knotting the score at two goals apiece in the 51st minute. 
 
Diaz began the scoring for the Royals after taking a cross from sophomore midfielder Emma Rose Stockton near the back post. Diaz capitalized on the assist from Stockton and struck from roughly 10 yards out to put Queens on the board for the first time this season.
 
After a dangerous scoring opportunity from sophomore Lulu Phan was fended off by Lynn goalkeeper Gabriela Lopez on the very next possession, the Royals were soon rewarded for maintaining their offensive urgency. Stockton slotted the ball across the box and again found a slashing Diaz who redirected the ball at Lopez. Lopez's save deflected towards the left side of the six, and in the space occupied by Juarez, allowing the freshman to clean up on the rebound and release a low strike from inside the six into the right side of the net. 
 
However, the Royals' momentum was soon forced to a halt thanks to a weather delay that resulted in nearly a 90-minute break in the action. 
 
Upon resuming the game, the Royals soon found themselves down again as the Fighting Knights converted on an Emily Weisberg set-piece cross that found the foot of defenseman Morgan Meltzer in a busy crowd directly in front of the net. With an opening in front of her, Meltzer booted it past Queens senior goalkeeper Rachel Quest for the go-ahead goal. For Meltzer, a senior, it marked the first goal of her college career. 
 
Quest recorded three saves for the Royals, including a second-half effort that saw her fully stretched while diving through the air in order to get just enough of her fingertips on the ball to deflect it past the goal. For Lynn, freshman Lina Lundgren got the start in goal and pitched a three-save shutout through the first 45 minutes of play. Lopez, who replaced Lundgren and played the entirety of the second half, tallied seven saves and gave up both goals.
 
Diaz led Queens with six shots, followed by Phan with five, all of which were on goal. For Lynn, Molly Bryans and Donish Henry-Cole, who led the Sunshine State Conference in goals last season with nine, each scored goals. Weisberg finished with two assists, including the cross that led to the game-winning score. 
 
Queens will be back at home this Saturday looking to pick up its first win of the season. The Royals will host the University of North Carolina – Pembroke on Sept. 1 at Dickson Field with a 5:00 p.m. start.