GWYNEDD VALLEY, Pa. – The Neumann University women's soccer team saw its season come to an end in heart-breaking fashion in the first round of the Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) playoffs to host Gwynedd Mercy University by a score of 2-1 on Monday evening.

Shannon Martina tallied her fifth goal of the season in the loss. Goalie Brittany Cullison was solid in net, making seven saves to keep the Knights in the game.

Neumann would not get off to the start it was looking for, as the Griffins broke through just 1:57 into the game to take an early 1-0 lead. Gwynedd Mercy carried the play in the opening half, notching nine shots compared to just four for the Knights, but excellent goaltending from Cullison kept the team in the game. The sophomore net-minder made six saves to keep the Griffins lead at just one as the game moved to halftime.

The second half would see Neumann find its way back into the game. Needing a goal to tie the game up, the Knights came out of halftime desperate to find a goal. The desperation finally paid off in the 68^th minute, when Martina dribbled into the box and ripped home a shot to the left side of the net to knot the game up at one apiece.

The game would remain tied until the final minutes of play, as each team generated chances to jump in front. Unfortunately for the Knights, it would be the Griffins who would find the tie-breaking goal. With just over five minutes to play, Gwynedd Mercy scored off a loose ball in the box to take a late 2-1 lead. Neumann would fight hard until the end trying to equalize, but the Griffins defense held off the Knights and won the game to advance to the CSAC semifinals on Thursday,

Neumann (7-9-1, 6-4-1 CSAC) sees its season come to an end in the CSAC first round for the second consecutive season. The Knights will look to improve this offseason and get back to the CSAC playoffs for a third consecutive season next year.