The Lions' field hockey team lost its undefeated streak after going 1-1 last week.
The team experienced its first loss of the season on Saturday, when they played No. 6 Salisbury University in a game that ended 4-1. This game, following an impressive win against the Ramapo College Roadrunners on Tuesday, brought the Lions' record to 11-1.
On Saturday, the Salisbury Sea Gulls scored their first goal only a minute into the game. After a lull in the scoring, the team's second goal followed in the beginning of the second half.
Sophomore midfielder Melissa Buttray scored the Lions' only goal with 25:18 left in the game. The goal, Buttray's third of the season, was off an assist from sophomore midfielder Kelly Mitchell.
The Sea Gulls followed up with two more goals during the second half to win the game. The win improved the team's record to 11-3.
Senior goalkeeper Erin Mitschke made seven saves in the loss, giving her 46 for the season.
While this loss comes as a surprise to the Lions, they are determined to not let it slow them down.
"Going into the game, I was very positive and excited," Mitschke said. "I wanted to beat Salisbury for so many revenge factors and I was definitely confident in my team's ability to come together and beat them. I feel like we were just off and dominated. We hope to think of it as a learning experience and come out harder next time."
But before the loss, the Lions' had improved their record to 11-0 when they beat the Roadrunners 6-2 last Tuesday.
The Lions took control when freshman midfielder Jessica Falcone scored the first goal 2:10 into the game. Junior midfielder Colleen Dougherty had the assist on the goal.
"It was exciting to score so early," Falcone said. "We always want to score first, because it sets the tone of the game."
After the Roadrunners tied the game, senior forward Allison Greene started off the second half with a goal, bringing the score to 2-1. She then set up sophomore forward Jenny Lubin for her third goal of the season and a 3-1 lead.
"We worked very well as a team," Lubin said. "We had a slow start in the first half, but after halftime, we took our coach's advice and put it all together on the field. We scored a lot in the second half and it had a lot to do with working together and sticking to our game plan."
Ramapo brought the score to 3-2 but was quickly quieted when Buttray and junior defenders Sheri Grondski and Ashleigh Pecherski scored three straight goals to seal the game.
Mitschke recorded her 11th win and tallied eight saves.
The Lions return home on Oct. 21 to face the Pioneers of William Paterson University at 1 p.m. They will then travel to Kean University on Oct. 24 to take on the Cougars.
