BUFFALO, N.Y.—An early goal and a tough defensive line caused the Franciscan women's soccer team to fall 1-0 to conference opponent D'Youville College. This loss leaves the Lady Barons with a split 3-3 conference record and a 9-6 overall season record.

D'Youville scored the first and only goal of the game in the first 10 minutes off of a corner kick. From that moment on the possession flipped from one team to the next trying to break through the others defense.

"They definitely had some good looks at our goal but possession was pretty evenly shared right in the midfield," head Coach Clare McBane said. "We had several attacks towards them but they just had a very talent defensive line and that really was our biggest struggle."

Franciscan also kept a solid back line throughout the game holding D'Youville to one goal. Specifically instrumental in keeping the net safe was consistent standout junior goalkeeper Mallory Garthwaite.

"Mallory had an excellent game," McBane said. "At least three of her saves were crucial in us keeping it a 1-0 game. It was really her efforts that kept it 1-0 in the end."

Three separate times Mallory put it all on the line to protect her teams goal. Two of those times the ball was soaring high over her head right under the cross bar and she punched it up and over the cross bar. Another time she dove to the corner and hit a ball just enough to knock it around the outside post away from the side netting.

"She had to have full extension and perfect timing in order to make sure they did not hit the net and she did it every time," McBane said.

Looking forward, the Lady Barons are focusing on pushing on toward making playoffs. In order to secure a position, the team is aiming to win their next 3 and final games. McBane said that the team is ready to fix mistakes and grow from this loss.

"We're learning that at this level a few unpolished details can cost you a game and I can see that they're all very determined and driven to fix those things," McBane said. "The girls worked really hard and played a very high quality game and it's only a few things we need to fix."

The Lady Barons next game and chance to redeem themselves is against conference opponent, Penn State Altoona at home on Oct. 23 at 4p.m.