Senior Kelli Ortega tallied the game-winning goal as Immaculata University defeated Gwynedd-Mercy College 1-0 in women's soccer action on Thursday, September 13, in Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania.  It was the conference opener for both schools.

The Mighty Macs, off to their best start in school history, improved to 5-0 overall and 1-0 in the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference (PAC).  Ortega recorded the only goal at 80:05 off the foot of freshman Colleen Jennings.  It was her second game-winning goal of the season.

Freshman Jessica Gaburo collected 10 saves, including one on a penalty kick in the first half, and kept the Griffins off the board to improve Immaculata's shutout streak to 347:00.  The shutout also lowered Gaburo's goals against average (GAA) to 0.60.  Kristie Pollock registered seven saves in the loss for Gwynedd-Mercy.

The Mighty Macs outshot the Griffins10-8, but Gwynedd-Mercy held an 8-2 advantage in corner kicks.

"This team has great goalkeeping and defense and the midfield and attack are beginning to play together," said head coach Fran Tacconelli.  "With a team as young as ours (Immaculata starts eight freshmen), the beginning of the season has been a pleasant surprise.  Every time we step onto the field we expect to perform well and so far we have been able to prove it."

They will try to prove it again on Saturday, September 15, when they host the 2006 defending PAC champion Misericordia University.  Kick-off is set for 1 pm.