BALTIMORE, Md. (Sept. 17, 2016)- Junior Jessica Benoit (Hazlet, N.J. / Raritan) scored a late goal as the Centenary University women's soccer team dropped their Colonial States Athletic Conference opener to Notre Dame of Maryland University on Saturday afternoon.

Meghan Conner scored and assisted on a goal for the Gators who improve to 2-2 overall and 1-0 in the CSAC. Benoit and freshman Cassidy Haller (Stroudsburg, Pa / Pocono Mountain East) both recorded four shots for the Cyclones who fall to 1-5 overall and 0-1 in the CSAC.  

Despite a very even first half, Notre Dame lit up the scoreboard first as Conner assisted on an Elizabeth Balog goal in the 11^th minute. The Cyclones attempted to even the contest but Lilly Gordon made three saves in the first half, including two shots from freshman Chloe Christopher (Flemington, N.J. / Hunterdon Central). The Gators held a 1-0 lead at intermission

In the second half, Notre Dame increased their lead to 2-0 when Conner scored off an assist from Lyndsay Rehak in the 73^rd minute. Centenary finally found the net in the 84^th minute, when Benoit netted her first goal of the season.

Despite the loss, Centenary edged Notre Dame on shots (19-9), shots on goal (7-5) and corner kicks (5-1). Sophomores Kristin Karszen (Manorville, N.Y. / Eastport South Manor) and Kara LaPolice (Hopewell, N.J. / Hunterdon Central) each took three shots, while junior Kaitlin Marold (Edison, N.J. / Edison) made three saves in net.    

Head Coach Kevin Davies and the Cyclones will return to action on Saturday, Sept. 24, hosting the Highlanders of Cairn University at 12:00 p.m.