ST PETERSBURG, Fla.—The women's soccer squad capped off its two-game roadtrip with a 1-0 loss to Eckerd on Saturday night. With the defeat, Palm Beach Atlantic fell to 6-7 (2-6 SSC) on the year.
For the entirety of the opening period, PBA kept pressure on the Tritons, but failed to finish the quality opportunities.
Cheyenne Beck notched the first chance of the contest after a Triton defender played a backpass that the redshirt-junior ran onto. Because of defensive pressure, Beck put her try just wide in the second minute.
Kylie Meola then nearly gave the Sailfish a lead in the 11th minute when Kylee Rullo centered a ball to the top of the box. Meola sent a shot that was heading just under the bar, forcing the Eckerd keeper into a sprawling save.
Palm Beach Atlantic continued to attack throughout the majority of the first half. The Sailfish attempted nine shots, six on target, while holding the Tritons to a single try; however, none of the opportunities found the back of the net.
Rullo led the team with four shots in the first half, three of which required saves by Eckerd.
The Cape Coral, Florida native picked up in the second half where she left off in the first by rocketing yet another shot toward goal in the opening minutes after the intermission. Rullo blasted a bouncing ball on goal, but it was held by EC keeper Casey Winn.
Following that chance, Eckerd (6-6-1, 2-5-1 SSC) began to create more opportunities out of possession. The Tritons were able to gain the lead on a well-placed shot from the top of the box in the 65th minute, which was all the offensive production they would need.
The Sailfish, who only put one more shot on frame after Eckerd gain its advantage, were unable to pull even despite out-shooting the Tritons 14-6 in the competition.
Winn ended the contest with eight saves in her shutout victory.
PBA will return home on Wednesday for a matchup with Florida Tech. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Rinker Athletic Campus.
