Box Score 

SCRANTON, PA. – A single goal scored in the 55th minute was the difference as the William Paterson women's soccer team (0-1) suffered a 1-0 loss at Scranton (1-0) Sept. 1 in the season opener for both teams.

Rebecca Hextall scored the game-winning goal at the 54:56 mark of the second half on a ball served up by Samantha Russo, spoiling the Pioneers' season-opener for the second straight year.

Hextall almost became the hero moments earlier, drilling a corner kick from 16 yards out that was saved by Pioneer freshman Alyssa Falduto (Nutley, N.J./Nutley).

Down 1-0, the Pioneers nearly came back behind the play of sophomore forward Michelle Marabondo (Kenvil, N.J./Roxbury). In the 82nd minute, she broke through the Royal defense and delivered two shots, one of which was blocked by a Scranton defender, and her attempt off the rebound was wide. Two minutes later, she received a cross from the left perimeter, but her shot sailed over the crossbar. In the 88th minute, another shot went right of the target. For the match, the Pioneers outshot the Royals, 18-12.

Scranton did have its chances to get on the scoreboard in the first half, but an attempt from the middle of the field from 16 yards out by senior midfielder Chelsea Paskman was too high. Moments later, Hextall found herself in a prime scoring position, but could not get off a solid shot attempt on a ball crossed in front of the Pioneer goal.

Senior goalie Caitlin Byrne made a match-best seven saves for Scranton. Falduto had three for William Paterson.

William Paterson will compete at the Brandeis Invitational this weekend, facing Ithaca Saturday, Sept. 4, at 1:30 p.m.