HOBOKEN, N.J. (September 1, 2009) – Despite a game-high seven saves from sophomore goalkeeper Kaitlin McClymont, the Stevens Institute of Technology women's soccer team opened up its 2009 campaign with a hard-fought 2-0 loss to No. 1 Messiah College. The Falcons, who began the season with hopes of capturing their second straight national championship, extended their unbeaten streak to 27 matches dating back to the 2007 season.

Junior forward Erin Hench (Carlisle, Pa.) and the Falcons tested McClymont early and often, registering a pair of shots on goal within the first couple minutes of action, but the Ducks' second-year keeper and a gritty Stevens backline, that included juniors Alexandra Lyons and Nicole Brand, managed to keep the high-powered Messiah offense at bay, playing the defending national champions to a scoreless tie through the first 29 minutes of action.

Messiah would finally break through the stingy Stevens defense in the 30th minute, as junior forward Amanda Naeher (Seymour, Conn.), the 2008 National Soccer Coaches Association of America/Adidas NCAA Division III Women's Player of the Year, snuck a header past a diving McClymont off a cross from fellow junior Katie Hoffsmith (Manheim, Pa.).

Stevens would nearly knot the score at one a few minutes later when freshman Gia Gonzales recorded her first collegiate shot and the Ducks' only shot on net in the 33rd minute, following a long run down the right side of the pitch that resulted in a diving save from Messiah's sophomore netminder, Autumn Reilly (St. Albans, Vt.).

The Falcons would respond with an insurance goal just over a minute later on freshman Corrine Wulf's (Columbus, Ohio), first collegiate marker, giving Messiah a 2-0 advantage. The Columbus, Ohio native's unassisted tally coupled with Naeher's goal would prove to be enough down the stretch as the Falcons held on for their first win of the season after a scoreless second half.

Stevens will look to bounce back at the 2009 Stockton Classic on September 4 and 5 against No. 19 Rowan University and tournament Host Richard Stockton College.