PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Fairleigh Dickinson women's soccer team surrendered an early goal and could not equalize in falling on the road to Providence, 1-0.
 
The Knights (1-1) were held to only four shots, two in each half, with only two shots on goal.
 
"Probably a little bit passive to start the game," head coach Eric Teepe said after the game. "They weren't really allowing us to play out of the back, and we struggled with that at the beginning. The last 25 minutes we were able to put more pressure on them. It's a tough result, but also it's good for our players understanding what they are capable of out on the field."
 
Junior goalkeeper Amanda Fitzgerald made a couple of great saves to start the match. She dove to her right to save a hard shot in the 20th minute, helping keep the match scoreless early through 20 minutes.
 
She then made another leaping save three minutes later, punching the ball off the crossbar on a Providence free kick attempt. The rebound shot, however, got past Fitzgerald to put the Friars (2-0) ahead 1-0 in the 23rd minute.
 
"Even on the goal, she made a terrific save on the first shot," Teepe said. "She gives us a lot of confidence, allows our players to not be worried about making mistakes in front of her. It's huge for us. She has come out of the gate with two great games to start the season."
 
Sophomore Viktorija Miseljic took the Knights' first shot of the match in the 26th minute, but her line drive shot was caught by the Providence keeper. Sophomore Gabby Garcia also provided FDU with a chance to tie late in the half, corralling a long pass at the top of the box. She fought past her defender, but Garcia's ensuing shot was blocked to keep the score 1-0 at the half.
 
Providence controlled the first part of the second half, taking the first four shots of the period.
Fairleigh Dickinson then turned up the pressure on offense, earning a corner kick opportunity in the 67th minute. Though freshman Lea Egner's cross did not initially warrant a shot, sophomore Andrea Garcia did fire a shot with a good look at goal, but the Providence keeper made the save.
 
Garcia got off another shot, this time from long distance with 12 minutes to go, but the ball sailed over the crossbar.
 
Fitzgerald finished the match with five saves in playing all 90 minutes in net.
 
The Knights continue their early stretch of road contests Thursday when they travel to Lehigh for a noon matchup with the Mountain Hawks.