HENNIKER, N.H. -  The New England College women's soccer team fell to the Monks of Saint Joseph's College of Maine with a second half goal being the difference maker on Wednesday night at the Don Melander Field in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) action.  

Both teams put three shots on goal in the first half, but neither was able to break through in the first 45 minutes of action.  

The Monks scored the first goal of the evening in the 59th minute as a turnover around midfield quickly turned into a 1-on-1 fastbreak which was won by Saint Joseph's leading scorer, Sydney Gallop.  

With under 18 minutes left to play, sophomore Abbey Keyes (Dedham, Mass.) sent a beautiful pass up to senior Isyss Scott (Bakersfield, Calif.) who was in a foot race with the final line of the Saint Joseph's defense, but the Pilgrims were unable to put a shot on net.  

On the Monks' counterattack, a SJC forward had a good look on net, but senior Hollie Bomba (Seymour, Conn.) made a strong save to keep the deficit at one. Bomba made another stellar stop with 4:24 left in the game to keep the Pilgrims alive down the final stretch. The 'Grims battled until the clock hit triple zeroes, but the Monks ultimately pulled out the 1-0 win.  

Keyes put three shots on goal for the Pilgrims while senior Mia Loewenberg (Milford, Conn.) sent two on net in the game. Bomba closed out the game with a new season-high 12 saves. 

NEC continues their homestand on Saturday as they host Lasell at 12:00 PM. 

For continuing coverage of New England College Athletics, visit athletics.nec.edu and follow the Pilgrims on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.