The Mount St. Mary's women's soccer team opened Northeast Conference play with a 2-0 home loss to Sacred Heart on Friday afternoon at the MSM Soccer Field. The Mount falls to 2-7 overall and 0-1 in the NEC with the loss.

The Mount controlled play most of the first hafl, but Sacred Heart was awarded a penalty kick with 9.5 seconds left in the first haf after a Sacred Heart player was fouled in the penalty box. Lisa Burbige connected on the shot to give the Pioneers a 1-0 lead at the half. Mount St. Mary's had a great scoring opportunity two minutes into the contest, but Jenn Baker's shot was tipped by goalkeeper Ashley Mocarski into the cross bar. Mocarski made a nice stop on a Karyn Farrar shot with 9:17 left in the half as well.

Sacred Heart (2-9, 1-0 NEC) scored 4:24 into the second half when Britney Dupee headed an Allison Rojas cross past Mount goalkeeper Anna Lebo for a 2-0 advantage. The Pioneers were able to keep the Mount off the scoreboard the rest of the way.

The Mount held a 15-13 advantage in shots and a 3-2 edge in corner kicks in the contest. Mocarski made seven saves to earn the shutout while Lebo tallied four saves in the loss.

The Mount returns to action on Sunday, Oct. 1, when Fairleigh Dickinson visits the MSM Soccer Field for a 12:00 game.