PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. – A late offensive push was not enough Saturday afternoon as Pace University Field Hockey fell to No. 10 Assumption University, 2-1, at Peter X. Finnerty Field. Josefina Villa Alonso scored in the fourth quarter, but the Setters were unable to overcome two early goals, moving to 8-4 overall and 1-2 in Northeast 10 Conference play.
Assumption struck twice in the opening quarter, scoring in the eighth and 13th minutes to build a 2-0 advantage. Despite creating four first-quarter shots, Pace entered halftime trailing by two.
The Setters took control of the offensive opportunities after the break, outshooting Assumption 7-1 in the third quarter while earning six penalty corners. Grace Francis nearly broke through late in the period, but her attempt was turned away.
Pace continued applying pressure in the fourth, eventually finding the back of the cage at 50:23 when Villa Alonso scored off an assist from Feline Rook to cut the deficit to 2-1.
The Blue and Gold generated several chances in the closing minutes, earning five penalty corners in the final three minutes. Rook had two shots saved during the late push, but Assumption held on for the victory.
Rook led the Setters with seven shots, while Stella Musso added four. Pace finished with a 20-8 advantage in shots and a 14-7 edge in penalty corners. Tara Dusée recorded five saves in goal.
The Setters return to action Wednesday, Oct. 14, when they travel to Garden City, N.Y., to face Adelphi University in Northeast 10 Conference play at 4:00 p.m.
