Hamden, Conn. – The Fairleigh Dickinson University women's soccer team fell 1-0 to Quinnipiac in the Northeast Conference season opener on Friday, Sept. 21.  With the loss the Knights drop to 3-4-3 on the season, with a 0-1 mark in conference action.  The Bobcats move to 5-2-1 on the year, with a 1-0 record in the NEC.

The lone goal of the game came in the 55^th minute.  A run through the midfield by Kemesha Woodfine challenged the FDU backline.  Woodfine fired a shot from the right corner of the penalty box that found the far corner of the net to give the Bobcats a 1-0 lead.

The first half of play was dominated by the midfield as each team recorded just two shots.  Kasey Schiavoni (West Chester, Pa./Villa Maria Academy) produced the Knights' only shot on goal in the third minute when she received the ball off a combination of passes from the midfield.  Schiavoni dribbled to the center of the field and ripped a shot that was stopped chest-high by QU keeper, Jillian Kelly.

Junior keeper Sage DoVale (Lilburn, Ga./Collins Hill) broke up several passes in the penalty box but was not challenged by a shot on goal in the first 45 minutes.

The Bobcats pressured the Knight defense throughout the second half to outshoot them, 10-3.  QU produced three shots that challenged DoVale, including the game-winning goal.

The Knights saw several opportunities created by freshman Carly Tice (Highland Falls, N.Y./James I. O'Neill ) in the second half.  Tice's lone shot of the game was on target and she created a combination of passes with six minutes left that was broken up in the penalty box by the QU defense. 

Freshman Esther Rochon (Saint Romuald, Quebec/College Francois-Xavier-Garneau) led the team in the final minutes of the game with two shots.

Overall, the Bobcats outshot the Knights, 12-5 with an even three shots each on goal.  The Knights were held to just one corner kick, while QU was awarded three.

The Knights continue NEC play on Sunday, Sept. 23 with a home match against Sacred Heart.  Kickoff at University Stadium in Teaneck, N.J. is slated for noon.