WASHINGTON – The Catholic University of America scored in the match's second minute and withstood the Moravian College women's soccer team for the remaining 88 minutes to score a 1-0 victory in Landmark Conference action at Catholic on Saturday afternoon.
The Greyhounds (5-6, 1-1) and Cardinals (6-6, 1-1) both started the game with intensity. The Cardinals only needed 1:12 to score the eventual game-winner, but Moravian responded with four straight shots on goal in the first 17 minutes of the opening half.
Catholic goalkeeper Lexi Halperin held her ground during that barrage, and finished with a total of six saves to earn the shutout win over the Greyhounds. The Greyhounds had their chances after outshooting the Cardinals 11-10.
Junior forward Kirsten Schall put both of her shots on goal, including one in the opening minutes of play in the second half that required a save from Halperin. Senior midfielder Taylor DiSora also took three shots to lead the Greyhounds, two of which were on goal.
Senior goalkeeper Genevieve Chaleff took the hard-luck loss after giving up the early goal and making one save in the first half. Sophomore Jacqueline Zalis took over in the second half and made three saves without allowing another Cardinal tally. Zalis lowered her season goals-against average to 0.90 to go with 11 saves in 300 minutes between the pipes in 2013.
The Greyhounds kept the pressure on right until the final minute. Sophomore forward Micaela Kwochka ripped a shot on goal in the 80th minute, prompting another save by Halperin. Freshman midfielder Valentina Margiottiello then took two consecutive corner kicks in the 88th minute with every Greyhound pushed forward gunning for an equalizer. The Cardinals held strong again to clinch their first Landmark win of the year.
The Greyhounds will look for their second conference win of the season when they host Drew University on Saturday, Oct. 12 on the HUB Quad at 1 p.m. Before that, Moravian continues its non-conference slate with a match on Wednesday at 4 p.m. against Penn State-Berks on the HUB Quad. Five of the final eight games for the Greyhounds will be played in Bethlehem.
