Seaford, N.Y. (Oct. 1, 2017) – The Molloy field hockey team, despite twice rallying to tie the contest, fell in a 5-3 decision to Saint Thomas Aquinas College at Cedar Creek Park this afternoon. The loss sets the Lions at 0-10 while the Spartans puts STAC at 3-7 on the year.

The maroon and white thundered the Spartans with shots in the first half, outshooting the Spartans 14-8. The Lions also ended the first half with a 10-3 advantage on penalty corners.

Despite the effort, it would be STAC that would get on the board first as Jade Hall touched the ball in following a crowd in front of the net in the 13^th minute. 13 minutes later, freshman Nadia Elcock (Baldwin, N.Y.) tallied her first collegiate goal for the Lions, shooting right side to beat the keeper and tie the contest.

The Spartans responded 90 seconds later to carry a 2-1 lead into the break.

Molloy started the second frame with a penalty corner. Senior Jessica Waszczak (Northport, N.Y.) fired the shot, but it was kicked away by goalkeeper Suzanne Clark. Redshirt junior Zoe Norton (Sayville, N.Y.) lowered her stick to push the rebound in to knot the score 2-2.

STAC pulled ahead in the 43^rd minute, scoring two goals within 60 seconds to go ahead 4-2.

In the 48^th minute, the Lions once again had a penalty corner opportunity. Following the corner, senior Melissa Fuerst (Selden, N.Y.) fired into the net to bring Molloy within one goal with 22 minutes to play.

In the final minutes, the Spartans roared to life. The team fired 13 shots in the second half, outshooting Molloy 21-19 on the afternoon. In the 68^th minute, Arielle Rodriguez put STAC ahead by two goals. Time expired with the score 5-3 in favor of the visitors.

Junior Tara Byrnes (Huntington, N.Y.) made nine saves while senior Christina Carbone (East Meadow, N.Y.) added a defensive save on the afternoon.

Next week, Molloy heads on the road for a three-game series in the Carolinas. The team kicks off the trip by facing Queens University of North Charlotte in Charlotte, N.C. at 12:00 p.m.