BRISTOL, R.I. – Clark University escaped with a 1-0 against the Roger Williams University Women's Soccer team Wednesday evening in non-conference action. Despite strong play by the Hawk offense and defense, a second-half penalty kick for Clark proved to be the difference in the game.

In the 61^st minute, a Cougar forward was taken down inside the left side of the box, leading to PK opportunity for Clark. Liz Cumberbatch (Gales Ferry, Conn.) would step up and fire a shot head on to the back of the net for the eventual game winner.

In the first half, Roger Williams controlled the pace and the time of possession for most of the period. Clark was held without a shot over the first 45 minutes of the game, while the Hawks put up ten shots at the net. Overall, Roger Williams outshot Clark 17-5.

The Hawks' best opportunity came at the 16:06 mark, when Hannah Noel (Adams, Mass.) took a shot that just bounced of the left post and right back to her. The rebound shot would be saved by Clark keeper Gabby Paolini (North Potomac, Md.)

Yet in spite of the Hawks' strong play, the Cougar defense stepped up and made key plays throughout the game. A timely clear in the backfield by the Cougars 13 minutes into the game helped stopped a streaking Mariah Kaiser (Portsmouth, R.I.) to a breakaway attempt.  Later in the second half, Elizabeth Gomes (Arlington, Mass.) put a foot on a ball at eye level that warded off of a long pass that was headed for another breakaway opportunity.

The Hawks also had a good chance to tie the game with just under five minutes to play when Katie Lydon (Riverside, R.I.) booted a long shot outside the box head on to the goal. A jumping punch-save by Paolini kept the Hawks off the board, as that would be their last shot for the game.

Paolini earned the win, making eight saves in the shutout, while Stephanie Jaques (Burlington, Vt.) made one save in the loss.

“We were awesome tonight; we did everything right except score and give a penalty away,” said Head Coach Tim Moody. “That is the best performance I have witnessed since I took over the program last summer. Our passing was accurate and with a high tempo. The result, however, is not what we wanted or planned on. We came out on fire and did everything we had talked about and practiced.

“We went after the game in the second half and looked like we could score. We had hit the post in the first half, and later their keeper makes a good save to stop it going in to overtime. We thought we deserved a PK; the challenge was no different to one that was given against us earlier in the game.

“The performance was top class; the result brought us back down to earth. If you don't score goals, you won't win soccer matches. It is that simple. We need to get an end result in the final third and put the ball in the back of the net. We believe we have the talent, and we will get our rewards in the end! We will have to go to Endicott now and make a statement with a win on the road.”

Roger Williams (1-2-1) opens up Commonwealth Coast Conference play on Saturday with a 12:30 road game at Endicott, while Clark (2-2-1) hosts Springfield Saturday at 1:00 p.m. in the NEWMAC opener.