GWYNEDD VALLEY, Pa. — In their first-ever Atlantic East Conference match, the Pratt Institute women's soccer team drew even with Gwynedd Mercy University twice before taking a 3-2 defeat on Wednesday evening.
The Griffins (5-4-2, 1-1-0) capitalized from the penalty spot in the 17th minute to take an early lead. The Cannoneers (3-7-0, 0-1-0) responded just over 10 minutes later as Claire Hook found Alyssa Trujillo to pull even at 1-all. The hosts countered less than 90 seconds later on a shot that was initially saved by Emma Gaspari, but the rebound put back into the net by Bethany Beinlich and Gwynedd carried a 3-2 lead into the intermission.
Nearly 20 minutes into the second stanza, Pratt leveled the match again as Annabella Russell scored her first of the season off a feed from Kat Thomsen. In the 75th minute, the Griffins took the lead again on Natalie Morris' goal. Pratt had three corners and three shots in the final 10 minutes looking to pull even for the third time, but would come up short.
The tight matchup saw both teams tied 21-21 in shots and 11-11 in shots on goal. Pratt had a 5-3 edge in corner kicks, all five coming in the second stanza.
Emma Pratt led the way with seven shots (five on goal). Hook fired four shots and Russell finished with three. Gaspari made eight saves in a losing effort in goal.
The Cannoneers return home to host Marymount University in an Atlantic East matchup on Saturday, October 12. Kickoff from Queens College is set for 11 a.m.
