Poughkeepsie, NY – The Montclair State field hockey team staged a late rally but fell to No. 16 Vassar College 3-2 in non-conference action Wednesday.

The game, which started late due to lightning, also saw a 30-minute delay in the middle of the second period. The Red Hawks (2-2) received goals from CARLIE VAN TASSEL and LINDSEY BICHER on the evening. The team outshot Vassar (5-1) 12-11 overall.

The host Brewers wasted little time, scoring in the first 5:04 of the game. Ella Pearl slid a pass from the right to Gianna Trunfio, who fired a clear shot into the back of the cage. The Red Hawks had a try nearly two minutes later, but GAB MAISTO had her attempt stifled by the goalkeeper. The Brewers doubled their lead with 5:14 to go in the opening stanza, as Maggie Werner redirected Jaclyn Narleski's shot from the top of the circle into the goal.

The Red Hawks cut the deficit in half with 7:07 to go in the second period. Maisto found Van Tassel, who converted the pass for her team-leading fourth goal of the year. Just 68 seconds later, Vassar tacked on a third goal. Narleski inserted the penalty corner, and Hailey Brigger ripped a shot from the top of the circle to re-establish the two-goal margin.

Montclair turned the pressure up in the second half, forcing goalkeeper Sarah Dumaresq into making five saves in the first 4:40 of the frame. Off a penalty corner, the Red Hawks were awarded a penalty stroke. Bicher stepped up and beat Dumaresq, once again leaving the margin at just one goal. The Red Hawk defense buckled down, holding Vassar to two shots in the period, including one for the first 13:13.

Pushing forward, the Red Hawks applied pressure to the Brewers late in the game. The team was awarded four penalty corners down the stretch but were unable to convert. With 52 seconds left, KYLIE COMPTON sent in a corner try, but Van Tassel had a shot blocked, and CARLEE THOMPSON had a shot go wide. Montclair had one final opportunity with four seconds to go, but Thompson pushed her try wide left, and the buzzer sounded.

Thompson led all participants with five shots, while Maisto and Van Tassel added three. In goal, LAUREN PICKUL made four saves while Dumaresq made six for Vassar.

The Red Hawks remain on the road Saturday, taking on Gwynedd Mercy at 1 pm.