KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Despite a 9-0 loss to the KC Current Division II squad, the Missouri Reign made history Monday at CPKC Stadium.

In what was their first game played in a professional stadium, the Reign came out excited, prepared and showed the moment was not too big. Despite struggling all season with slow starts and poor first halves, the Reign played a quality first 30 minutes of soccer. Coach Dakota Acock was pleased with his team's start.

"I think the fact that we didn't play scared was huge," Acock said. "I'm happy we started well and I think thats something we can build off," Acock said.

The Reign's defense was pressured but helped out goalie Katy Fitzler (who is returning from injury), as she only had to make one or two good saves against the higher competition. Fitzler plays at Drury, along with teammates Holland Hawkins, Reagan Hegarty, Danielle Buker, Baylea Davis and Kourtney Tucker, and was named GLVC Second-Team all conference. However, the home team's defense was just as good as the Reign's, only giving up a few chances for Evie Vitali to have to save.

The Current finally broke through in the 32nd minute off a goal from Addy Lang. From there, Sydney Watts tacked on just three minutes later, and what looked like a solid first half for the Reign, suddenly turned into a tone setting performance by the Current II in the final 15 minutes of the half. Just before the half, Lauden Wilson put her name in the score sheet to make it 3-0 at the break. Coach Dakota Acock knew how important this game was for his team to learn and develop.

"To give up a couple more in that first half that was rough, but at the same time it's invaluable for our learning experience," Acock said.

The Current did not take their foot off the gas in the second half. This experience is invaluable for the development of their players who can eventually get called up to the NWSL pro team, which Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and his wife Brittany are co owners of. Tyler Isgrig was the first of two players to score a brace, doing so in just three minutes. In the 49th minute, she scored her first goal and added her second in the 52nd minute. Bella Diorio was the other to record a brace. She made the score 6-0 in the 58th minute and tallied the final goal of the game in the 85th minute. Teresa Deda scored from way out of the box in the 70th minute and Bella Field's goal in the 80th minute rounded out the scorers for the hosts.

Not only was this a historical moment for the Reign, but they are also playing in a historical stadium. CPKC Stadium is the first stadium ever built specifically to host a women's professional team.

Coach Acock knows the talent level might've been in the favor of the Current, but his girls made him proud.

"I think our girls earned a little respect tonight as well," Acock said.

He knew his team was at a disadvantage. It makes a difference when your team has to travel and play on the same day and when you are facing a team that has two groups of 11. He knows he and his girls feel "bittersweet" for this experience but knows that all teams have to have growing pains along the way.

The Reign look to use this as a building block for the remainder of their season. They next face Lou Fusz at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at R. Marvin Owens Field.