BLOOMSBURG, Pa. - The Bloomsburg women's soccer team fell 1-0 in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) to Shepherd Saturday afternoon.

The Huskies fall to 2-2 on the season with a 0-2 record in conference play. The Rams improve to 1-0-2 for the season, moving to 1-0 in the conference. 

In a game of creating chances, Shepherd came away with the lone response in the 73rd minute after a counterattack down the right wing finally broke through Bloomsburg's defense for the game-winner.

How It Happened:
In a game where every inch was under scrutiny, it was not until the 18th minute that either team mustered a shot. Olivia Thompson (Pottstown, Pa./Owen J. Roberts) had the first crack as part of the Huskies' high press. Hounding the Rams' defense, Thompson got in a clean challenge to poke the ball free and have a run at net. Her effort was stopped in place by a charging Hannah Wilt for Shepherd, coming out of the net to stop the attempt.

The press again proved to be an issue for the Rams as the Huskies worked the ball into open space on the wing for a cross. The low-driven pass came to the feet of Sophia Clark (Hughesville, Pa./Hughesville), with the midfielder in a central position inside the 18-yard box but unable to get control of the ball for more than a tap at the net.

Samantha Merklin (Effort, Pa./Pleasant Valley) made her first three saves of the match in a span of six minutes. The junior's first stop came as Josie Beezel drove in from the left wing for Shepherd where Merklin deflected the shot to the top of the box, where a second shot from Annabelle Wunderlich also curtailed away from net due to Merklin. The Effort, Pa. native recovered after a misplayed ball had her out of position to push a shot from 25 yards out wide. Her next sequence came as Lydia Gable drove up the heart of the Bloomsburg defense and drove with a shot to the bottom left corner that Merklin parried out of play with a kick save.

The Huskies had their chances with set pieces in the final five minutes of the opening half but could not generate a shot from a pair of last-minute corners.

Merklin went back to work in the second half at the 55-minute mark after a challenge attempt rolled to the feet of a surging Shepherd attacker for a shot engulfed by the goalkeeper. The constant pressure from the Rams' direct passing continued as Shepherd looked for its chance before finding it in the 73rd minute. 

The pressure did not let up from either side in the final moments, but the Rams protected the ball well enough in the final 16-plus minutes of action to keep Bloomsburg off the scoreboard.

Numbers of Note:
20 - In a game where one goal was the decider, both teams' timing miscues added up to a combined 20 offside whistles between the two sides. 

3 - Merklin has put forward her best foot in goal to start the season for the Huskies' recording five-plus saves in three consecutive contests.

On the Horizon: 
The Huskies are on the road on Wednesday, September 18, for a PSAC East matchup at 3:00 p.m. against Lock Haven.