Emory University junior Andrew Natalino's penalty kick goal in the 69^th minute of play proved to be all the offense the Eagles would need to defeat the University of Chicago 1-0 in their opening game of University Athletic Association (UAA) play on Saturday.

With the road win on Saturday, the Eagles raised their record to 5-4-0 (including a 1-0-0 record in conference play), marking the time this season that Emory has had a winning record.  Chicago dropped to 5-2-2 on the season with the loss, and to 0-1-0 in the UAA.

Despite being outshot 8-3 in the first half, the Eagles were able to hold on defensively, keeping the contest scoreless heading into the second frame.

In the second half, the eventual game-winning penalty kick was set up by freshman Zachary Rosenberg, who drew a foul from the Chicago defender.  Natalino was able to convert the resulting penalty kick for his third goal of the season.

Chicago continued to press, outshooting the Eagles 7-2 in the second frame, including a shot on goal after a corner kick in the 77^th minute that was cleared off the line by the Eagles' defense.  However, Emory was able to preserve the shutout and earn the victory. 

Emory was outshot by Chicago 15-5 in the contest, including a 10-3 mark in shots on goal, marking the first time in nine games this season that the Eagles have recorded less shots than their opponents.

Goalkeeper Alex Wong recorded his third shutout of the season through five starts, improving to 5-1-0 on the season and lowering his goals against average to 0.56.  Wong made a season-high nine saves in 90 minutes.

Emory will return to action on Wednesday at 7:00 PM, traveling to Covenant College for a non-conference matchup.

Emory Notes
The penalty kick was the first taken by an Eagle this season… It was the first game-winning goal of the season for Natalino and the seventh of his career, tying him with Dennis Jerkunica (1989-92) and Ahmed Mohyeldin (1997-98) for the sixth-most in school history…  Natalino is now four-for-five on penalty kicks during his Emory career… He is now tied for the team lead with nine points this season… It was the first game-winning goal scored on a penalty kick by an Emory player since September 12, 2009, when former Eagle Jake Graetz's penalty kick goal lifted Emory to a 1-0 win over Methodist University… Each of Emory's last four wins have been by shutout… The Eagles' defense has allowed just three goals over the last five games, outscoring opponents 10-3 during the stretch.