Alyssa Fania	Kathleen Keale

Box score

Photo gallery (courtesy of Dan Ceccacci)

The University of Scranton field hockey team held a first-half lead against nationally ranked Catholic on Saturday afternoon at rainy Fitzpatrick Field, but the Royals could not make it stand up in a 2-1 loss.

In the defeat, senior midfielder Alyssa Fania (Annandale, N.J./North Hunterdon) set the school's career assist record when she notched the 20th assist of her career. Fania surpassed the previous record of 19, held by Traci Zarbatany (1986-89).

Fania now has six assists and 33 points on the season, a new career high. She now has 90 career points, the fifth most in school history.

Fania's milestone assist came when she took a pass on a penalty corner and took a shot from the top of the circle. Senior midfielder Kathleen Keale (Wall, N.J./Wall) deftly tipped the shot about 18 feet in front of the circle, and the ball found the left side of the goal for a 1-0 lead in the 28th minute. Keale's goal was her third of the season and 12th of her career.

Scranton (10-3, 2-2 Landmark) held that 1-0 lead at halftime before Catholic – ranked ninth in the National Field Hockey Coaches Association Top 20 – knotted the score in the 42nd minute on a goal by senior forward Colleen Harwood (Rockville, Md./Magruder). The Cardinals scored the deciding goal in the 63rd minute when junior forward Taylor Elliott (Delmar, Del./Delmar) scored as steady rain fell.

Catholic (11-1, 4-0 Landmark) held a 6-2 advantage in shots and 12-3 in penalty corners.

The Royals return to action on Tuesday, Oct. 21, when they travel to Madison, N.J. to face Drew University in a Landmark Conference match at 7 p.m..

--ROYALS--