LONDON, Ont. - Three first-half goals and constant pressure from Laurier cost the Western Mustangs a 3-1 decision, ending their four-game point streak at TD Waterhouse Stadium in women's soccer on Wednesday night.

The veteran-laden Laurier squad seemed to control the midfield. With excellent ball control and distribution, Tania Pedron of Maple, Ont. also helped to control the play through the middle of the field for the visiting Golden Hawks.

Courtney Stocks scored Western's lone goal in the fifth minute, with Heather Malizia tallying three times (7th, 18th and 33rd) for the Golden Hawks.

Mustangs goalkeeper Melanie Oberholzer made five saves in the loss.

Some defensive miscues cost the Mustangs twice on three first-half goals.

Pedron, a senior midfielder, helped to control the play in the middle of the field and set up all three first-half Laurier goals.

But it looked good for Western early when Stocks, a transfer from Texas, scored the opening goal on a nice volley just six minutes into the game after sneaking in behind the Laurier defence and taking an Erin Grand pass, turning and shooting low with precision past Katrina Ward to give Western the brief lead.

But Laurier responded after Pedron sent a ball to the left wing and Malizia scored her first goal two minutes after Western got on the board to tie the game, coming in unchallenged off the wing.

Western netminder Oberholzer came out to challenge and tried to cut the angle off, and she even caught a piece of Malizia's shot, but Laurier bounce allowed the ball to spring into the Western net, despite the efforts of two Mustangs fullbacks to keep it out.

Malizia took a great Pedron pass with Western's defence overcommitting and scored just over 10 minutes later on a breakaway beating Oberholzer one-on-one.

Taking a Pedron feed, striker Malazia scored third Laurier's third goal late in the half.

The Golden Hawks led 3-1 in the break.

Western started the second half with enthusiasm, but just over six minutes into the frame, Laurier nearly scored on a counterattack when Ali McKee of Bracebridge, Ont., took a nice pass from Malizia and put it just over the crossbar.

McKee just missed again on a nice ball up the wing but puts it just off Oberholzer's outstretched arm.

Western generated little offence in the second half, and Oberholzer gained her confidence and made a terrific, highlight-reel slide to take the ball away from McKee, showing her normal aggressive and strong play on the ball.

With just under 24 minutes left, Western launched a counterattack and Grand's shot went just wide of the net despite a nice setup.

Krista Cellucci missed on a shot that curled wide along the turf with just over 10 mintues remaining, deflecting off Oberholzer who cut the angle down well.

The Mustangs nearly score their second when Ginger Basnett just failed to connect with a Emily Maganja cross with about four minutes remaining. Ward, who made one save for the win, came off her line and got to the ball first for Laurier, and the ball rolled out of danger. 

Western (4-4-2) remains in fourth place in the OUA West and still holds a home playoff game. The Mustangs travel to play at Waterloo on Oct. 9 at 1 p.m.