GWYNEDD VALLEY, PA. -- A goal in the first half was the difference in the season opener for Gwynedd Mercy, as the Griffins fell to visiting Muhlenberg Friday evening.

Goalie Kailey Hopkins was one save shy of tying a personal best, as the junior recorded 12 stops, none of them bigger in the second half where she made two point blank stops to help keep it a one-goal contest.

The Mules fired off nine shots before solving Hopkins in the first half. In the 29th minute, Hopkins was able to get a hand off a close range shot that deflected off the post but back into the middle where Danni Steigerwald was able to find the back of the net.

A last offensive push came in the game's final minute, as the Griffins had a good look from 25 yards out, but Anna Numerato's shot sailed right at Muhlenberg goalie Libby Juliano.

The Griffins travel to Lycoming on Sunday for their second game of the season. Action is slated to start at 2 p.m.