MEQUON, Wis. – First place in the Collegiate Field Hockey Conference was on the line Sunday morning as the Concordia Wisconsin field hockey team welcomed Mary Washington to Tomasini Stadium. The Falcons battled the Eagles in a showdown between conference unbeatens, but the visitors pulled away in the second half for a 4-1 victory. The result moves the Falcons to 3-7 on the year and 1-1 in CFHC play, while Mary Washington improves to 10-3 overall and 2-0 in conference action.
The Eagles struck first in the ninth minute when Hannah Jadgchew capitalized on a penalty corner from Katie Royle to take a 1-0 lead.
The Falcons responded with a strong defensive effort, keeping the Eagles within striking distance throughout the opening half.
Senior Parks Cawthray (Oakville, Ontario) stood tall in the cage for the Blue and White, turning away six shots in the second quarter to keep Mary Washington off the scoreboard.
The defensive stand helped the Falcons enter halftime trailing by just one goal.
Mary Washington extended its advantage in the 41st minute when Grayson Scott found the back of the cage to make it 2-0.
The Falcons began to generate offensive pressure late in the third quarter when freshman Maddie Rock (Rockford, Mich.) fired a shot on goal in the final minute, but the attempt was turned away by Mary Washington goalkeeper Tori Winans.
The Eagles added two goals in the fourth quarter, with Anna Reed scoring off a penalty corner in the 47th minute and Scott adding her second goal of the afternoon in the 52nd minute.
The Falcons continued to fight and found their offensive breakthrough in the 55th minute.
Junior Rylee Binley (Suffolk, Va.) started the scoring sequence with a penalty corner, connecting with sophomore Kaitlin Baylen (Antioch, Ill.). Baylen sent a pass to Rock, who finished the opportunity to put the Falcons on the scoreboard.
The goal was the third of the season for Rock, while Baylen and Binley each collected an assist.
Cawthray finished with 11 saves in the contest, including nine between the second and third quarters. The Eagles held a 23-2 advantage in shots.
The Falcons will return to CFHC action on Saturday, Oct. 24, when they welcome Rhodes to Tomasini Stadium.
