WINONA, Minn. — The Husson University softball team dropped it opening game of the NCAA Regional 5-2 on Thursday to host No. 11 Saint Mary's University. 

Husson (27-11) trailed Saint Mary's (40-3) 1-0 after the Cardinal's plated a run in the second inning. 

The Eagles rallied in the top of the third taking a 2-1 advantage when senior Bulla McCabe singled down the right field line scoring junior Lydia Rice to tie the game and graduate student Julia Gregoire singled in McCabe for the go-ahead run. 

Husson and Saint Mary's played scoreless until the bottom of the fifth when the Cardinal's rallied for four runs to take a 5-2 lead and held on for the opening-game win. 

McCabe finished with two hits, while Rice also tallied two hits. Senior Tatyanna Biamby, Gregoire, junior Lexi Volinsky and junior Morgan Tainter all posted hits as Husson finished with an 8-6 hit advantage, but the Cardinal's made the most of their hits scoring five runs. 

Graduate student Sky Johnson got the start in the circle for the Eagles, pitching six innings, striking out one and allowing just six hits. 

The Eagles will now play the loser of Simpson College and DePauw University on Friday at 1:30 p.m.