ST. DAVIDS, Pa.– Eastern University Field Hockey dropped its season-opening game to the visiting No. 12 Montclair State University Redhawks by a 3-1 score. The visitors scored once in the first half before grabbing control of the match with a pair of goals in a two-minute stretch late in the second half. Maya Wales scored for the Eagles.

The Eagles had the first chance of the game, but Redhawk goalie Kaitlin Maguire stopped an Ali Balmer effort from in close early. The visitors had the advantage in possession and chances for the rest of the first half.

Nicole Berger stopped the first six Redhawk shots she faced, but the visitors finally broke through on an individual effort by Kelly Watson in the 18th minute. Montclair had a 10-1 edge in shots through the first 35 minutes, but Berger's seven saves and a strong defensive effort kept the Eagles within striking distance at the intermission.

After the break, Eastern had a lot more of the ball. That possession nearly resulted in an early goal on a good cross from Becky Howard. Wales gathered the ball in deep, but her shot slipped just outside the back post.

Both teams had chances throughout the early parts of the second half. Gina Miller made a huge play to keep the deficit at a single goal with a defensive save with fifteen minutes to play.

The Redhawks finally doubled the lead on a penalty stroke goal in the 59th minute. Kaitlin Struss created the play for the visitors. The Redhawks' leading scorer from last year put nine shots on goal in the game but was never able to push one over the line. Nonetheless, her strong run out of the midfield created the foul that led to the eventual game-winner. Less than two minutes later, the Redhawks added a third goal on a reverse stick effort that ran across the face of the goal. With Redhawk players charging, Berger had to freeze on what could have been a dangerous cross. When no attacker deflected it, the cross found a corner.

Two minutes later, the Eagles grabbed a goal back on a well-executed penalty corner. Wales played the insert into Miller on the near side. Miller carried the ball into the circle and pushed a hard shot toward the middle of the goal. Macey Talhelm redirected the ball toward Wales on the near post, and the sophomore forward slapped it home.

"That was very well executed." Head Coach Camrin Azzarano said after the match. "Macey did a great job on the redirect."

Azzarano found many things to be encouraged about in the game against the nationally ranked opponents. She pointed to the teams improved attack in the second half and the play of her defense throughout the match. Berger finished the game with 11 saves.

The Eagles will play again tomorrow. They will host the Albright College Lions at noon.