Charlotte Dinsdale’s young City side battled hard but were defeated by a strong Loughborough Lightning team on the opening day of the season.
It was an even start to the game with the Imps closing down space well to deny the visitors any clear openings.
Lightning, who finished joint top last season and are amont the title favourites this time round, took the lead in the 15th minute from their first opportunity as the ball broke to Ella Powell just inside the box and the winger curled a lovely strike into the far corner.
Loughborough looked to press home their advantage as Powell and Hines saw efforts fly wide while Wright was denied by a brilliant stop from debutant ‘keeper Harriet Wayne.
In the 38th minute Lightning doubled their lead through Sarah Woodbyrne to give the visiting side a two-goal half-time advantage.
The Imps almost pulled one back after the break through Lexie Butterworth’s deep corner to the back post, but Jenna McGee directed her effort wide.
Lauren Purchase then made it three for Lightning as she stroked home from Ella-Mai Coutts’ delightful through ball.
Purchase’s second in the 59th minute was more fortunate, however, as her mis-hit cross floated over the head of Wayne and into the bottom right corner.
City continued to graft and put their bodies on the line, but as they started to tire Loughborough hit again with Coutts and Lauren Jarowicki adding to the score-line.
City: Harriet Wayne, Jacee Fells, Jenna McGee (Izzy Hayward 70’), Harrianne Pepper, Eva Fowler (Sofiat Rufus 87’), Mathilda Evans, Becky Kendell, Shelbey Morris, Ebony Foley (Brooke Ware 46’), Lexie Butterworth, Gemma Harte (Jaz Jeffery 80’).
Lightning: Grimmond, Hewitt, Cotton, Hines, Plumb, Powell, Wright, Purchase, Woodbyrne, Szczech, Coutts.
Goals: Powell (15), Woodbyrne (38), Purchase (55, 59), Coutts (80), Jarowicki (82).