AMHERST, N.Y. - The Daemen College women's soccer team saw its season-opening unbeaten streak come to an end following a 1-0 loss to the University of Bridgeport today at Karrer Field on the campus of The Park School. The host Wildcats suffered their first loss of the year and fell to 6-1-2 overall and 1-1-1 in the East Coast Conference. Bridgeport, which claimed the NCAA Division II national championship last year and was the overwhelming favorite to win the ECC title this year, ran its unbeaten streak to five-straight games and improved to 4-4-1 overall and 3-0-0 in the ECC.

Daemen, which entered the United Soccer Coaches Division II East Region poll for the first time ever earlier this week, also saw its home field unbeaten streak come to an end at 10 games (8-0-2).

HIGHLIGHTS

• A tightly played first half saw limited scoring chances at both ends of the field. Daemen nearly broke the scoreless tie with 25 minutes left in the first. Senior Erin Egan (Williamsville, N.Y.) tracked down a cross in the UB box and sent a pass back to sophomore Grace Stranahan (Grand Island, N.Y.), who sent a low shot towards the lower left corner of the UB net. Purple Knight goaltender Helena Dahlstrom dove and got just enough of the ball to tip it just wide.
• The Purple Knights finished with a 5-4 edge in total shots during the first 45 minutes. 
• Both teams had scoring chances early in the second half, but the game remained scoreless until the 65th minute when the Purple Knights scored following a Daemen turnover. Junior midfielder Rebekka Skaasheim intercepted a Daemen pass near midfield and dribbled to the top of the Daemen box where she slid a pass across to senior forward Maegen Doyle. Doyle created space from the Daemen defender with a nice move and then left-footed a shot past the diving Daemen net minder and into the upper left corner. It marked the Division II-leading 13th goal of the year for Doyle, who earned Division II National Player of the Year honors from the United Soccer Coaches last year.
• Daemen managed three shots on goal over the final 20 minutes, but could not get one past UB net minder Helena Dahlstrom—who finished with a season-high six saves.
• Junior Maddie Flores (Seattle, Wash.) went the distance in net for the Wildcats and made one save.
• The Wildcats posted a 7-4 edge in shots in the second half and the hosts finished with an 11-9 advantage in shots overall.

HEAD COACH DAN DOLAN POST-GAME COMMENTS
"We played wonderful today. Julia Eichel grew up in front of our eyes. Her and Sam (D'Agostino) did great against Maegen (Doyle) all game. We had our counter opportunities in the first half and other chances in the second with possession and set plays, but it wasn't meant to be today. I'm really proud of this group and can't wait to get back on the field."

GAME NOTES

• Daemen's eight-game unbeaten streak equaled the longest in program history—matching the one posted during the 2011 season.
• Daemen, which entered the game ranked second among ECC teams in total goals (28) and goals per game (3.50), was held without a goal for the first time since suffering a 4-0 loss to Bridgeport in the opening round of the 2018 ECC Championship Tournament.
• Bridgeport has now prevailed in the last three meetings between the two schools and owns a 7-1-0 advantage in the all-time series.
• Daemen returns to action Wednesday (Oct.9) when it travels to Shepherd University for a non-conference tilt.

Daemen College features the only NCAA Division II athletics program in the Buffalo-Niagara region, sponsoring 17 intercollegiate teams. For the latest information on Daemen Athletics, follow the Wildcats via social media on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram, or sign up to receive customizable news alerts, e-mail newsletters and weekly schedule alerts.