MIDDLETOWN, Conn. (Sept. 14, 2011) – The Mount Holyoke College field hockey team suffered a heartbreaking 2-1 setback to Wesleyan University this evening at Smith Field. After the teams played to a 1-1 tie through regulation and one overtime period, the Cardinals prevailed behind junior forward Taryn Murray's winner 1:38 into the second extra session. It was Mount Holyoke's first loss of the 2011 campaign.

The Lyons took advantage of a penalty corner opportunity to grab a 1-0 edge 18:24 into the contest. After receiving the injection from senior forward Shara Robertson, classmate Tricia Chase slid a short pass to first year midfielder Kirsten Kilburn, who proceeded to fire a shot toward the Wesleyan cage from the top of the circle. Senior forward Jess Fajardo got a stick on the ball and redirected it into the air and past junior goalkeeper Tori Redding for her team leading fourth tally of the season.

Mount Holyoke still enjoyed a 1-0 lead late into the second half before sophomore midfielder Blair Ingraham recorded the equalizer with just over four minutes remaining in regulation. Murray was credited with the assist on the play after Ingraham finished off a scramble in front of the Mount Holyoke cage.

The contest eventually went to double overtime, where Murray ended things in dramatic fashion. The winning goal started with a rush down the left side by junior midfielder Ashley McLaren, who slipped a pass toward the middle to sophomore Taylor Wells. Wells gained possession and pushed a pass to Murray on the right side. From there, Murray fired a shot into the cage to close out the contest.

Wesleyan (1-1, 0-1 NESCAC) outshot the Lyons 13-4 and held a 12-4 advantage in penalty corner chances. Redding finished with one save. Meanwhile, senior Katie Gibson turned away four shots for the visitors.

Mount Holyoke (2-1, 0-0 NEWMAC) will kick off its NEWMAC slate at home against longtime rival Smith College on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.