EDWARDSVILLE – The Wilkes University field hockey team was edged by visiting Widener University by a 2-1 final in a tight non-conference contest at Schmidt Stadium Saturday afternoon.

With the loss the Colonels dropped to 2-2 overall this season while the Pride stayed perfect at 3-0.

Wilkes had the better of the play in the first quarter, generating three penalty corners and two shots but the game headed to the second 15 minutes scoreless.

The Colonels were the first to get on the scoreboard in the 22nd minute following a penalty corner taken by Zoe Stepanski (Dallas, PA/Dallas). Lauren Shiplett (Mountaintop, PA/Crestwood) took the pass and had her first shot blocked before firing a second shot that went to Morghan Murphy (Mountaintop, PA/Crestwood) in front of the cage. The freshman then found Ali Dunn (Pittston, PA/Pittston) who put the ball past the Pride's goalkeeper for her second goal of the season. It was the first career assist for Murphy.

Widener tied the score with 1:49 remaining on the clock before halftime when Gianna Perna collected a loose ball after Vanessa Damgaard (Elysburg, PA/Columbia Montour Area Vocational Technical School) came out of her cage to challenge a breakaway attempt. Perna lifted the ball into the open cage to tie the score 1-1.

The Pride had the better of the play in the third quarter and eventually found the game-winning goal in the fourth at the 49:19 mark. Jackie Daniels made a nice play to dribble past some Colonel defenders and then let a shot go that went into the upper left corner of the cage.

Following a yellow card on the Pride with 2:04 to go, the Colonels had a final push to tie the game, but were unsuccessful. Sabrina Roberto made a save on Murphy and then Maddie Kelley's (Dallas, PA/Dallas) attempt on the rebound was blocked in the scramble with less than 40 seconds remaining.

Damgaard made five saves for Wilkes while Roberto stopped three shots for Widener. Shiplett led Wilkes with three shots in the game.

The Colonels return to the field on Wednesday when they travel to Allentown, Pa. to face Cedar Crest College at 5:00 p.m.