Worcester, Mass. (September 6) -- In an evenly-matched season opener, the Assumption College field hockey team dropped a narrow 2-1 final to visiting Bellarmine on Saturday afternoon at the Multi-Sport Stadium. The game was the first-ever meeting between the two schools.

Both teams had scoring chances early, but it was the Knights that struck first on a goal by senior Alex Ojeda for the 1-0 lead. Assisting on that goal was freshman Ellie Lichte. Assumption put the pressure on over the next eight minutes though and tied the score at 1-1 with just 4:10 left in the opening half. Senior Paige Anderson (Suffield, Conn./Suffield) fired in a pass from the top of the circle to junior Taylor Chase (Holden, Mass./Wachusett Regional), who tipped home the blast for her first goal of the season.

The score stayed that way until over midway thru the second half when sophomore Aimee Ilgenfritz scored off a pass from junior Alexis Van Wallaghen for the eventual game winner. The play developed to the right of the Assumption goalie as Van Wallaghen set up the score with a solid pass.

Assumption had a number of opportunities to put home the game winner, including on a penalty corner after time had expired, but the Bellarmine defense made the one-goal margin stand up.

Senior Lauren Neilan (Mendon, Mass./Nipmuc Regional) made six saves in the loss for the Hounds, while senior Lara Williams turned aside 10 shots for the Knights in the victory.

Overall, Assumption outshot the Knights by a 25-15 margin, including 17-6 in the second half. Bellarmine held an overwhelming 16-9 advantage in penalty corners, including a number of chances after time had expired in the first half. For Bellarmine, junior Hannah Doll was solid as she made a pair of defensive saves in the win.

Assumption drops to 0-1 overall with the loss, while Bellarmine evens its record at 1-1 on the season. The Hounds are back in action on Saturday, September 13th as the team travels to Adelphi University for a non-conference game beginning at 1 p.m.

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