TAHLEQUAH -- A Central Oklahoma penalty kick turned out to be the difference Sunday as the RiverHawks fell 1-0 at home in both team's MIAA opener. 

The Bronchos' goal happened in the 79th minute in a physical contest with 19 combined fouls between both teams.

Payton Lieb had two attacks that nearly handed the RiverHawks the lead in the second half with a shot that hit the top crossbar in the 47th minute.  She had one more shot in the 62nd minute but was stopped by a dive from the UCO keeper at the near left post. 

Central (5-2-1, 1-0-0 MIAA) out-shot the RiverHawks 14-to-9, and corner kicks were even at three. 

Brennan Hockett had seven saves for Northeastern State, who falls to 3-3-2 overall (0-1-1 MIAA).

The RiverHawks will be on the road for the next two weeks and heads to Warrensburg to face Central Missouri on Oct. 1.