WASHINGTON, D.C. – The St. Bonaventure women's soccer team dropped their first Atlantic 10 Conference game of the season Thursday afternoon. George Washington's second half score gave them a 1-0 victory over the Bonnies in the conference opener. 
 
St. Bonaventure (1-7-1, 0-1 A-10) and GW exchanged early looks on goal. Freshman Evie Underhill landed a shot on target in the third minute for Bona, but the Revolutionary keeper made the save. 
 
Another scoring opportunity for St. Bonaventure came in the 21^st minute as Mahelie Barbeau shook her defender inside the 18-yard box. The freshman sent a hard shot toward the bottom corner but was thwarted by the GW netminder. 
 
Through the last 20 minutes of the first half, Bona and GW exchanged possession. SBU fired off six shots and landed four on net in the first stanza, while GW tallied seven shots with three on goal. 
 
Chiara Gottinger was tested in the opening frame, making three outstanding saves to keep the game scoreless at the break. 
 
Lauren Westwood was cautioned early in the second half, giving GW a set piece opportunity just outside the Bona box. The defense for the Bonnies was able to clear out the dangerous chance and leave the game knotted nil-nil. 
 
In the 73^rd minute, the Bonnies looked poised to break the scoreless deadlock as Underhill centered a ball for Maya Marolly, however, Marolly's shot was sent just wide of the target. 
 
GW (3-4-2, 1-0 A-10) responded four minutes later as Amelia Booth and Kate McGrath combined to find Lauren Prentice in the box who netted the game's lone goal.  
 
A couple of offensive substitutions for St. Bonaventure came on in the following minutes, but the Bonnies couldn't find the equalizer in the final 13 minutes. 
 
St. Bonaventure finished with eight shots and three saves. 
 
QUOTES FROM HEAD COACH DONNY GEORGE
"Today's match was tightly contested, with both teams generating chances to take control. We had an early opportunity, and had we capitalized on it, the outcome could have been very different."

"Although we started a bit sluggish, we gradually gained our footing and grew into the game. At halftime, the message to the team was clear: stay positive and keep pushing for opportunities."

"The second half mirrored the first with a lot of back-and-forth play. Unfortunately, after conceding a late goal, it became difficult to break through as GW focused on protecting their lead."
 
UP NEXT 
The Bonnies return to the Marra Athletics Complex on Sunday for a matchup with Massachusetts. Prior to kickoff, the Bonnies will honor their graduating seniors. 
 

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