WORCESTER, Mass. - In its first contest under new head coach Wendy Elles, the Saint Michael's College women's soccer team dropped its season opener at Assumption College, 2-0, on Friday in a non-conference contest during the inaugural Catholic Cup Classic at Assumption's Multi-Sport Stadium. The Purple Knights play tomorrow at 12 p.m. against Saint Anselm College in the consolation game of the tournament.

Junior goalkeeper Aubrey Ouellet (Bedford, N.H./Bedford) stopped four Greyhound shots in the contest. Saint Michael's held a 6-4 advantage in shots during the opening half before ultimately being narrowly outshot 11-10.

The Greyhounds were led by senior Justine DiDonato (Eastchester, N.Y./Eastchester), who had the eventual game-winning goal and an assist. First-year Emily Hill (Dedham, Mass./Dedham) scored her first collegiate goal, and junior Rachel Edgin (Whitesboro, N.Y./Whitesboro) worked the eight-save shutout.

On her team's first shot of the game, DiDonato slipped the ball behind Ouellet in the 14th minute to give Assumption a 1-0 lead. The Purple Knights had a handful of first-half opportunities, with Carley Pestana (Bedford, N.H./Bedford) behind stopped three different times by Edgin. Less than 30 seconds after Pestana's 81st-minute tying attempt missed the target, the Greyhounds tacked on an insurance goal when DiDonato's pass led Hill in alone for a goal at 81:10.