MIDDLETOWN, Conn. – The Mount Holyoke field hockey team attempted a second-half comeback, but fell short in a 4-2 loss at Wesleyan University on Thursday evening. The victory moves the Cardinals to 3-2 overall, while the Lyons slipped to 4-3 on the young season.

Wesleyan wasted little time, notching a goal just 1:51 into the contest when Nikki Gerjarusak one-timed a rebound off an initial saved shot by Colleen Carrigan for the 1-0 lead. The Cardinals added another goal at the 8:03 mark after a penalty corner by Rachel Pomerantz. Carrigan connected with the insert, sending Lyons' goalkeeper Morgan Turner charging out, but the ball snuck past and into the cage to make it 2-0. The home team extended its lead to three just 4:30 later when Gerjarusak tipped-in a pass from Erica Horowitz.

Mount Holyoke mounted a comeback attempt in the second half, notching two quick goals, cutting the deficit to one. The first Lyons' goal came after Cardinal goalkeeper Delaney Wood denied an initial shot by Kylie Brooks. Kass Lawrence one-timed the rebound, slipping the ball past Wood on the near post, making it 3-1 at the 43:16 mark.

Lawrence brought it to within one (3-2), just 3:39 later when she tipped-in a pass from Margaret Robb, for her second goal of the game. 

The Cardinals responded at the 49:21 mark when Olivia Baglieri stopped an insert by Pomerantz on the left side of the circle, before rifling a shot into the bottom right of the cage for the 4-2 advantage.

Mount Holyoke had four shots in the final 3:16 of play, but were unable to capitalize on any opportunities as Wesleyan hung on for the win.

Wesleyan held a 27-19 advantage in shots during the contest, with a slight edge in penalty corners (11-9). Wood made six stops in goal for the Cardinals, while Turner made nine saves for the Lyons.

The Cardinals return to NESCAC play on Saturday, traveling to Bates for a noon start, while the Lyons are back on the field in NEWMAC action on Saturday, hosting MIT at 2pm.