EDWARDSVILLE – The Wilkes University field hockey team fell by a 3-1 final to the University of Scranton at Schmidt Stadium in non-conference action on Tuesday evening.

The Colonels now stand at 5-4 on the season.

After an up-and-down first 19 minutes, Wilkes had a great opportunity in the 20^th minute when Maddie Kelley (Dallas, PA/Dallas) found herself in front of the goalkeeper for two shots, both of which were stopped, and an opportunity for Amber Grohowski (Nanticoke, PA/Nanticoke), which was blocked.

Neither team was able to breach the cage as the contest entered halftime tied 0-0.

Wilkes got on the board in the 37^th minute when the Colonels converted off a penalty corner. Zoe Stepanski (Dallas, PA/Dallas) played the ball in from the right side of the goal to Haley Gayoski (Forty Fort, PA/Wyoming Valley West), who lined it into the slot before it was deflected by Kelley to Grohowski who was able to find the back of the cage.

Scranton erased the deficit and took the lead with a goal in the 39^th minute off a corner and a second score in the 40^th minute unassisted for the 2-1 lead.

The Royals added a third goal in the 46^th minute to take a 3-1 advantage.

Wilkes came within inches of chipping away the deficit in the 54^th minute when Mackenzie Sweeney (Millville, PA/Millville) beat Scranton's goalkeeper, only to be stopped on the line by a defender for a defensive save.

The Colonels controlled the offense most of remainder, but were unable to beat the swarming Royals defense.

Dallas Kendra (Mountaintop, PA/Crestwood) stopped six shots in net.

Wilkes returns to the field on Saturday when it travels to Manhattanville College for a 1:00 p.m. Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom) game.