The University of Mary Washington field hockey team dropped a 5-4 decision to visiting Shenandoah University on Wednesday afternoon at the Battleground. The Eagles slip to 1-3 on the season.

In an exciting, back and forth affair, the Hornets wasted little time in reaching the scoreboard, as they scored just 2:44 into the game. The Eagles knotted the score at 1-1 nine minutes later, as Maggie Ellis scored off a loose ball in the circle with 3:24 remaining in the first. Shenandoah added another score 1:09 later, and carried a 2-1 lead to the second quarter.

In the second, the Eagles tied the score 1:05 into the period, as sophomore Riley Tengwall scored on a Sydney Keating assist. UMW forged ahead with 10:12 left before intermission, as Ellis scored her second of the day on an Emma Bernard assist.

The Hornets outscored the Eagles, 2-0, in the third quarter, and scored the first of the fourth quarter to grab a 5-3 advantage. Paige Stewart scored on a Bernard assist with 1:17 left to draw the Eagles to within one, but the Eagles couldn't convert on two penalty corners in the final minute to tie the score again.

The Eagles led in shots, 25-16, as well as penalty corners, 10-5. Junior goalie Chloe Billy had four saves in goal for the Eagles, while freshman Lauren Boucher added three defensive saves.

Mary Washington will be back in action on Saturday when they host Virginia Wesleyan University at noon.