SUPERIOR, Wis. -- Alverno College was unable to overcome a 3-1 halftime deficit in a 5-1 loss to host University of Wisconsin-Superior this afternoon.

"We played very hard under tough conditions and never gave up," Alverno head coach Brittany Nikolic said.

The host Yellowjackets (1-1) connected on their first attempt of the game at 4:44 to take a quick lead, but the Inferno (1-1) countered just 3 minutes later as rookie Bryanna Gayle (Milwaukee/Riverside) recorded her sixth goal of the season in just her second career game.

The game remained tied until UW-Superior added two more goals before the end of the half, as the host took advantage of outshooting Alverno, 11-1, in shots on goal in the period.

Midway through the second period the Yellowjackets added their fourth goal of the game, and added a fifth and final with 5 minutes remaining.

The Inferno played a bit shorthanded with a number of injuries and illness that occurred in the last few days.

"With a full healthy team, it is a very different game and we showed good character today that will serve us well later in the year," Nikolic said.

The Inferno are next in action this Tuesday, hosting Lakeland College in the teams' Northern Athletics Conference opener at 4:30 p.m.