The University of Mary Washington field hockey team dug itself a three-goal deficit, and was unable to recover fully in a 3-2 loss at Shenandoah University on Wednesday night in Winchester, Va. The Eagles slip to 2-3 on the season.

The host Hornets started swiftly, scoring midway through the first quarter and then again with just seconds remaining in the quarter to take a 2-0 lead, and carry momentum into the second. The Hornets scored what proved to be the winning score with less than two minutes elapsed into the second quarter, and held a 3-0 lead through halftime.

In the third quarter, the Eagles started a comeback, as senior Lauren Hopkins scored 4:01 into the quarter. In the fourth, Hopkins scored again in a scramble with 12 minutes remaining in the contest to draw to within 3-2, but the Eagles were unable to find the tying score in the final moments.

Shenandoah led in shots, 17-13, and also in penalty corners, 7-6. UMW goalkeeper Jillian Lawrence made six saves in between the pipes, while Sammie Ferris added a defensive save.

The Eagles will return to action on Saturday, as they visit the University of Lynchburg at 2:00 p.m.