Emmitsburg, Md. – The Fairleigh Dickinson University women's soccer team created a late push Friday, Sept. 28 against Mount St. Mary's but could not even the score.  The Knights fell, 2-1, at Waldron Family Stadium to move to 3-6-3 (0-3) on the season.  The Mountaineers improve to 6-4-0 (1-1).

Two first half goals from Alicia Mirando were enough to take the win for Mount St. Mary's.  Rachel Hoekstra (Bowmanville, Ontario/Clarington Central ) put the Knights on the board in the 63^rd minute before FDU showered MSM with pressure in the final minutes.  The offensive surge was cut short as regulation ended, giving the Knights a tough 1-0 loss. 

The Mount's first strike came in the sixth minute of action.  A corner kick from Jackie Corley on the left side found Andrea Bujacich beyond the far post.  Bujacich used a one-touch pass to send the ball to Mirando in the six-yard box where she past FDU goal keeper Sage DoVale (Lilburn, Ga./Collins Hill) to give the Mountaineers a 1-0 lead.

The Knights pressed the MSM backline hard by creating several counter attacks through the midfield but each attempt was stopped by the MSM keeper. 

In the 27^th minute Keriann McGettigan produced a run in the center of the field and dished the ball to Mirando near the penalty box.  Mirando found the back of the net for her second goal of the game, giving The Mount a 2-0 advantage.

FDU made several positional adjustments in the second half that led to an offensive advantage.  Kasey Schiavoni (West Chester, Pa./Villa Maria Academy) began the attack two minutes into the half with a shot that went wide. 

The Knights continued to press MSM and in the 62^nd minute found their best chance.  Esther Rochon (Saint Romuald, Quebec/College Francois-Xavier-Garneau) held the ball down the left sideline before passing to Hoekstra near the goal.  Hoekstra received the ball in the six-yard box and took a one-touch shot that found the goal. 

With a one-goal disadvantage and 25 minutes left to play the Knights increased the intensity of the game and continuously pressured Mount St. Mary's.  The midfield and forwards shaped a steady stream of shots to challenge MSM but were unable to find the back of the net.

In the final minutes of the game the Knights produced a string of shot opportunities.  Schiavoni, Julie Woolridge (St. John's, Newfoundland/Bishops College) and Carly Tice (Highland Falls, N.Y./James I. O'Neill ) each fired toward the net from outside the penalty box to challenge the MSM keeper but were unable to score before time ran out.

The Knights held a 15-10 shot advantage over MSM, with eight shots on goal.

“We made some adjustments that worked great,” said Head Coach Marco Masucci.  “We got caught on a few counter attacks because we needed to take a few risks, and that cost us the game.”

“Aside from those incidents, we were in complete control of the game, but it was just not our day.  There is so much frustration because of past results, but we need to stay focused because today was our best game so far, and we will keep getting better and better.”

The Knights return to University Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 30 to take on Robert Morris.  The Northeast Conference matchup is set to begin at noon.