PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. – In the final regular season contest of 2024, Pace field hockey came up just short of the win against Bentley University, 3-2. After trailing by two goals in the final quarter, the Setters rallied from behind but ultimately fell in the in-conference battle.

In the contest, Molly Paterson recorded the 19^th defensive save of her career to become the new all-time leader for defensive saves in Pace field hockey history. A feat that has stood since the 2017 season, Paterson surpassed Margaret Maclean to solidify herself atop the record books.

With the loss, the Blue and Gold conclude the regular season with a 12-6 overall record and a 9-4 record within the Northeast-10. Following Saturday's games around the conference, the standings had a shake-up as Pace will travel on the road for the opening round of the Northeast-10 Championship on Monday.

Here's What Happened

• Ten minutes into the game, the Falcons were presented with an opportunity to take the lead with a penalty stroke. Bentley took advantage of the chance and was the first to light up the scoreboard taking a 1-0 lead into the second.
• Just over a minute into the second quarter, Bentley found the back of the net again to hold a 2-0 advantage. The lead remained through the second and moving into halftime the Setters trailed 2-0.
• Both sides stayed out of the net in the third quarter as the score favored the Falcons, 2-0, heading into the final quarter. In need of some momentum, the Blue and Gold found some energy early into the fourth.
• Bella Basulto ended the scoring drought off a penalty corner opportunity forty seconds into the final quarter. The goal highlighted Basulto's first of her career as the Blue and Gold trimmed the deficit to 2-1.
• Two minutes later, the Setters evened up the contest with a Krista Dietz goal off a penalty stroke. The momentum switched to the home side as the game had two's on each side of the scoreboard with 13 minutes remaining.
• Not long after the goal from Pace, a foul forced a penalty corner opportunity into the hands of the Falcons. Bentley made the most of the chance and managed to find the back of the net to swipe the lead back, 3-2.
• In the remaining ten minutes, the Blue and Gold had several looks in the circle to tie the game, but the Falcons held their ground. When the clock struck zero, the Setters trailed by one, 3-2, bringing an end to their seven-game winning streak and the regular season.

Box Score Insights

• Dietz sits only three points away from 200 on her career after recording a goal off a penalty stroke on Saturday.
• Two freshmen connected in the fourth quarter, as Basulto tallied the first goal of her collegiate career capitalizing off a penalty corner from Carlotta Oschmann.
• Paterson registered her 15^th defensive save of the season to set the all-time record for Pace field hockey with a career mark of 19. The junior nearly doubled the previous single-season record of 8.

Season Statistic Leaders

• At the conclusion of the 2024 regular season, Pace field hockey has several individuals ranked at the top of the NCAA in statistics.
• Dietz sits among the top three in the NCAA for points (ranked 2^nd, 55 points), goals (ranked 3^rd, 18 goals), and assists (ranked 1^st, 17 assists).
• Jenna McCrudden ranks seventh in total points (35 points) and is tied for seventh in goals (13 goals).
• After a stellar regular season on the defensive end, Paterson finished tied for first throughout the NCAA in defensive saves with 15.

With the regular season behind them, field hockey claims the sixth seed in the Northeast-10 Championship. Away from their home turf in the quarterfinals, the Setters will face Saint Anselm College at 4:00 p.m. on Monday.