University, MS (U-WIRE) -- For the second time in just over three days, the Ole Miss women's soccer team suffered a close loss to a quality opponent.

The Rebels played host to the No. 11 nationally-ranked Florida State Seminoles on Sunday and could not find a way to score on a dominating defense. The Seminoles scored just under fifteen minutes into the second period to secure a 1-0 victory in the program's first trip to Oxford.

"It always hurts to lose," head coach Steve Holeman said. "I think Florida State is a great team; they have some players that are on another level. I thought we played very well at times, especially the first 30 minutes of the game. Florida State just made some really nice adjustments at the half and started to play like they can."

Ole Miss started the game strong, possessing the ball well and moving it deep into Florida State's territory with relative ease. However, the Rebels uncharacteristically had very few shots on goal. The team finished the first period with just one shot on goal and only managed four for the game. The Rebels had a tough time finding seams in a defense that has allowed only one goal all year long.

"I think Florida State has one of the best defenses in the country," Holeman said. "Our offense could have done better, we could have created some more opportunities, but they're very good."

Toward the end of the first period, Florida State began to swing the momentum in its favor and produced some quality scoring chances on sophomore goalkeeper Ann Shelton. The Seminoles shut down the Ole Miss offensive attack and also managed five shots on goal to play to a first period tie.

Ole Miss' best scoring opportunity in the first half came from junior Brittney Potts with just over 10 minutes remaining in the period.

Potts made a nice move to free herself from a defender and fired a shot from just outside the goal box that was deflected over the net by the Florida State goalkeeper.

Florida State dominated the early part of the second period and broke the scoreless tie just under fifteen minutes into the period.

Sophomore Sel Kuralay took a free kick from just outside of the Ole Miss goal box that setup a perfectly-placed header from junior Viola Oderbrecht into the corner of the net.

The Seminoles essentially played keep away from the Rebels for much of the second half and effectively contained Ole Miss' team speed on offense.

The Rebels were able to manage several scoring opportunities toward the end of the game, but it was too little, too late. By the time the Rebels made the necessary adjustments to Florida State's suffocating defense, little time was left and the team could not convert on its chances.

Both teams played a very physical match in the hot afternoon sun, especially in the second period.

A number of girls were knocked down and a few stray elbows drew whistles from the referee.

Senior forward Kelly Renie, who coach Holeman said is still not quite 100 percent because of her knee, received a yellow card in the first period during some rough play.

"We've become a lot more physical this year," senior Hilary Beckman said. "Everyone works real hard out there and it shows how much we want it."

Ole Miss and Florida State have become familiar non-conference opponents recently, playing on Sunday for the third time in four years.

In each contest the Rebels have produced close matches with the Seminoles, who are constantly ranked in the top-25 in the country and also boast a star-studded lineup.

Florida State currently has five foreign-born players on its roster who compete for their respective country's national team, as well as one member of the United States national team.

"We had a top-10 opponent coming to our house to play, and we really wanted it today," Beckman said. "My freshman year we lost to them 2-0 in the NCAA tournament regional and now we're hanging with them, so we've definitely come a long way since I've been here."

The Rebels will now have to try to regroup after two difficult loses. Ole Miss faces a tough Memphis team on Tuesday that is 3-1 on the season.

The Rebels will head North to battle the Tigers in a 7 p.m. contest at the Mike Rose Soccer Complex.

"We have to turn right around and recover from this game," Holeman said.

"We go to Memphis on Tuesday and they're a very good team; we just have to be prepared for them, and I think we will be."

(C) 2004 Daily Mississippian via U-WIRE