REHOBOTH, Mass. (Oct. 1, 2011) – The Mount Holyoke field hockey team fell 2-1 to Wheaton College this afternoon at Faxon Field despite first year forward Christine Ianni's fifth goal of the season. After gaining the early lead, the Lyons were unable to slip a second shot past sophomore goalkeeper Ellie Massengill. It was their first NEWMAC loss of the season.

Ianni gave Mount Holyoke a 1-0 edge at the 12:46 mark, when she scooped up a rebound and knocked in a shot near the right post. Classmate Kirsten Kilburn took the preceding shot, which was kicked out by Massengill.

Wheaton (5-5, 1-2 NEWMAC) knotted things up on a goal by sophomore defender Eliza Kennedy just over one minute before the end of the first half. After senior defender Tricia Chase recorded a defensive save on the senior forward Emily Asack's initial attempt, Kennedy pounced on the rebound and finished the play.

Asack then took advantage of a scramble in front of the Mount Holyoke cage to record what proved to be the winner at the 51:43 mark. Following a defensive save by Kilburn, Asack collected the loose ball and fired off three consecutive shots. Senior goalkeeper Katie Gibson stopped the first before classmate Annie Butts turned away the second with a defensive save. Asack's persistence paid off, as her third attempt made its way over the goal line for her team-leading eighth tally of the fall.

Mount Holyoke fell despite advantages in both shots (18-9) and penalty corners (16-8). Massengill finished with 12 saves for the hosts. Gibson totaled three.

The Lyons (5-3, 2-1 NEWMAC) will look to bounce back on Tuesday, when they visit Nichols College for a non-conference clash beginning at 7:00 p.m.