Gracie McClatchy	Nicolette Keale	Brianna Witt

Box score

The University of Scranton field hockey team ran up against a brick wall in its 2019 season opener on Friday, falling to Muhlenberg, 1-0, at Weiss Field at the Quinn Athletics Campus.

The Royals (0-1) outshot the Mules (1-0), 8-4, on the afternoon, but the Muhlenberg goalkeeper was tough in goal, making six saves, half of them in the final period.

Muhlenberg scored the game's only goal with 2:34 remaining in the first period, then held off the Royals will solid work in the midfield and on defense.

Scranton was led by senior forward Gracie McClatchy (Havertown, Pa./Archbishop Carroll), who had three shots, all on goal. Senior midfielder Nicolette Keale (Wall Township, N.J./Wall) and senior forward Brianna Witt (Sloatsburg, N.Y./Suffern) finished with two shots apiece.

Senior goalkeeper Claire McAllister (Plymouth Meeting, Pa./Plymouth-Whitemarsh) finished with three saves while making her 10^th career start. All three of those saves came in the second half as the Royals attempted to rally.

Scranton also held a 4-2 edge in penalty corners on the afternoon.

The Royals will return to action on Wednesday, Sept. 3, when they travel to Gwynedd, Pa. to take on Gwynedd Mercy in a non-conference game at 7 p.m.

--ROYALS--