GWYNEDD VALLEY, Pa. — An early first-half goal proved to be the difference as the Pratt Institute women's soccer team fell 1-0 to Gwynedd Mercy University on Saturday afternoon on the road in Atlantic East Conference play.
Gwynedd Mercy (5-12-0, 3-3) opened the scoring in the 7th minute when Rebecca Gordon found the net from distance for what stood as the game-winner.
The Cannoneers (7-5-0, 3-3) pressed for an equalizer throughout both halves, generating five shots in the opening 45 minutes and seven more after the intermission. Senior midfielder Emma Pratt (North Attleboro, Mass.) and junior forward Kate Nolan (Perth, Australia) combined for 10 of Pratt's 12 attempts on the afternoon.
Pratt's best opportunity to level the match came in the 60th minute when Emma Pratt was awarded a penalty kick, but Gwynedd Mercy goalkeeper Zoe Davis turned aside the attempt to protect the one-goal lead. Emma Pratt prompted another save in the final three minutes, but couldn't find the equalizer.
Senior midfielder/defender Annabella Russell (Pacific Palisades, Calif.) anchored the defensive effort for the black-and-gold, clearing the danger twice with defensive saves to keep the deficit at one. Senior goalkeeper Savannah Depaz (Chapel Hill, N.C.) finished with four saves across 90 minutes in net.
Davis stopped all six shots on frame she faced to earn the complete-game clean sheet for the Griffins. Gordon led all players with eight shots, including four on target.
Gwynedd Mercy finished with a 22-12 advantage in total shots and a 7-6 edge in shots on goal, while earning the lone corner kick of the match.
Despite the defeat and a split of the season series, Pratt holds a one-goal edge in goal differential for the series after a 2-0 win at home at the beginning of the month, which could play a factor in the final league standings and playoff seeding.
Pratt concludes the regular season on Wednesday, Oct. 28, hosting Saint Elizabeth University at 3 p.m. at Floyd Bennett Sports Complex in Brooklyn, N.Y.
