WILKES-BARRE - The Wilkes University field hockey team came up short in a 3-1 defeat to the DeSales University Bulldogs Sunday afternoon on Senior Day.

The loss drops the Colonels to 4-2 on the season while DeSales improves to 2-3.

It didn't start off well for Wilkes as they fell behind 2-0 less than 10 minutes into the game. Brynn Balliet scored the two goals for the Bulldogs against starting goalie Addyson Swayne (Shillington, PA/Governor Mifflin) at 4:17 and 9:44, leading to Chloe Gilroy (Manchester, NH/Pace University) replacing Swayne in net.

The Colonels kept it a two-goal game going into the second, but the Bulldogs continued to dominate the game as they outshot the Colonels 6-0 in the quarter. However, Gilroy made three saves to keep Wilkes within striking distance at halftime.

Early in the third quarter, the Colonels got a spark on offense. Maddie Karp (Pittston, PA/Pittston Area) led a fast-break down the field and found an open Taylor Bower (Bloomsburg, PA/Bloomsburg) for a goal at 32:57 to make it a 2-1 game. The rest of the quarter was controlled by the Bulldogs as they took 11 total shots, but sturdy defense and more great play from Gilroy prevented DeSales from scoring.

In the fourth quarter, the Colonels had a chance early on to tie the game. Karp broke free from the defense and took a great shot but it hit the post, keeping the score at 2-1. The Bulldogs kept pressuring the Colonel defense and eventually scored the game-clinching goal at 55:42 thanks to Morgan Benner to make it 3-1.

Bower finished the game with the Colonels lone goal, and Karp finished the lone assist. In relief Gilroy made 10 saves to keep the game competitive. As a team the Bulldogs outshot the Colonels 27-7, including 16-5 in shots on goal. They also finished with nine penalty corners to the Colonels' three.

Before the game, Wilkes recognized seniors Olivia Gayoski (Forty Fort, PA/Wyoming Valley West), Emma Budzak, and Courtney Keim as part of Senior Day festivities.

Next up for the Colonels is the first game in a five-game road trip. They take on SUNY Oneonta on Wednesday, Sept. 17 at 6 p.m.