SANTA ANA - The Dons returned to Orange Empire Conference action following four games at the Mt. San Antonio Tournament. In their first match back, the Dons fell to visiting Cypress College 17-11 despite holding an early lead.

Jasmin Pannier got things started after both teams got off to slow starts. Pannier scored the game's first goal with just under three minutes left in the first quarter before Cypress tied the match at 1-1 about 30 seconds later.

Each team scored once more to send the game tied 2-2 into the second quarter before Nikole Facklam gave the Dons a 3-2 lead two minutes into the frame. Candice Saylors scored one minute later, giving the Dons a 4-2 lead before the Chargers scored three-straight goals to take a 5-4 lead.

Pannier notched her second goal of the half to tie the game at 5-5 with Facklam scoring her second goal, putting the Dons back on top at 6-5. But the Chargers ended the half with back-to-back goals to take a 7-6 lead into the break.

After Cypress extended its lead to 8-6, Facklam scored her third goal of the match to pull the Dons within one at 8-7. However, that would be the closest the Dons would be for the remainder of the game as the Chargers started to pull away from there.

At the end of the third quarter, Cypress held a 15-8 lead before going on to the 17-11 victory.

Facklam finished tied for the game-high with four goals with Saylors adding three goals of her own. Pannier had two goals with Tiffany Smith and Hannah Peralta adding a goal apiece.

Jocelyn Navarro kept the Dons close early, making five first-half saves before finishing the game with nine saves.

The Dons return to action this weekend when they travel to San Diego for the San Diego Mesa Tournament on Friday and Saturday.