ONEONTA, N.Y. – The Wilkes University field hockey team kicked off a five-game road trip Wednesday night in the Empire state, falling to Oneonta 1-0 at All College Field.

Wilkes falls to 4-3 overall, while Oneonta improves to 6-1 on the year.
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Both teams kept things close in the first quarter, with Wilkes outshooting the hosts 2-1.

The Oneonta offense exploded in the second quarter for six shots, with Wilkes goalkeeper Chloe Gilroy (Manchester, NH/Pace University) making four saves before Abby Draper broke the deadlock for the hosts with one minute remaining until half time.

Wilkes continued to fight hard in the second half as Maddie Karp (Pittston, PA/Pittston Area) fired off two shots off penalty corner opportunities, but she was unable to find the equalizer as her attempts were blocked and saved.

The Colonels had two more opportunities saved in the fourth quarter and fell in a close contest to the Red Dragons 1-0.

Karp and Lyddia Keppel led Wilkes with two shots each, with Karp, Taylor Minnick and Emma Lautenbacher (Bangor, PA/Bangor) putting shots on goal for Wilkes. In goal, Gilroy made seven saves.

Ali Howell led the Red Dragons with seven total shots and five on goal, also tallying an assist on Draper's goal. In net, Maura Leib made three saves.

The Colonels continue their road trip on Saturday, September 20 as they travel to face Western Connecticut State at 6:00 p.m.