Box Score

ALLENTOWN, Pa. - The University of Scranton field hockey team opened their 2016 campaign on Thursday night at Muhlenberg, but the Royals were unable to come back from an early two-goal deficit, falling to the hosts, 3-1.

In the defeat, Muhlenberg was able to net two goals in the first nine and a half minutes of regulation, to race out to a 2-0 lead on Scranton.

In net, freshman Claire McAllister (Plymouth Meeting, Pa./Plymouth-Whitemarsh) was able to keep the score at 2-0 throughout the first 35 minutes, as she made five saves in the first period.

In the second half, fellow freshman Tate Ackerman (Endicott, N.Y./Seton Catholic Central) took over the goalkeeping duities and kept the Royals in the match, making seven more saves in the final 35 minutes.

Finally, in the 62nd minute of play, the Royals cut the Muhlenberg lead in half with a goal, as sophomore Cyan Scarduzio (Ossining, N.Y./Ossining) scored off a pass from junior Meredith Campbell (Media, Pa./Archbishop Carroll) to make it a 2-1 match.

Muhlenberg, however, attacked back and scored a go-ahead goal in the 68th minute, clinching the season opening victory in the process.

The Royals return to action on Saturday, hosting Keystone in their 2016 home opener at Fitzpatrtick Field. Things are set to get underway at 1 p.m.

--ROYALS--