Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin girls soccer opened the 2026 season Friday night with a strong second-half push, but the Lions fell just short in a 3-2 loss to West Geauga at NDCL.

Playing under the lights in their Friday Night Lights season opener, the Lions used the second half to generate offensive momentum as they worked to erase West Geauga's advantage.

Emilee Gruss recorded NDCL's first goal of the season, finishing an opportunity set up by Lauren Johnson for the assist.

Ella Ko added the Lions' second goal with a long-range strike, helping NDCL remain within reach as the match progressed.

The Lions' second-half performance provided an early look at a team still working to identify the combinations that will allow it to be at its best as the season develops.

"As a season opener, it is always about finding the right combinations and the formation that best suits the talent you have on your team," the coaching staff said. "Tonight was a lot of figuring out those pieces to the puzzle as to our strongest lineup."

Although the comeback ultimately fell one goal short, the opener provided NDCL with an opportunity to evaluate its lineup in game conditions while showing an ability to respond over the final 40 minutes.

The Lions will have a quick opportunity to build on that performance when they return home Monday, Aug. 17, to face Willoughby South.