Lynchburg, Va. -- Despite scoring the game's first two goals, Lynchburg College's field hockey team was unable to hold on, falling, 3-2, to Kean University on a sweltering Saturday afternoon at the Liberty University Field Hockey Complex.

Nikki Simpao (Stafford, Va.) registered a goal and an assist for the Hornets, and Jackie Lerro (Royersford, Pa.) also found the back of the cage for LC.

The 19th-ranked Cougars got a goal and an assist from Jenna Patrone.

THE RUNDOWN

Final: Kean 3, Lynchburg 2

Records: Kean 9-0, Lynchburg 6-2

Venue: Liberty University Field Hockey Complex, Liberty University, Lynchburg, Va.

HOW IT HAPPENED

- Things looked good for the Hornets early, as Simpao scored an unassisted goal in the seventh minute and assisted Lerro's score in the 13th for an early 2-0 lead.

- Patrone halved the deficit just before halftime with a scoop shot off a penalty corner, but Lynchburg remained ahead 2-1 midway through the game.

- The Cougars tied the game just after intermission in the 37th minute, and after Lynchburg was unable to capitalize on a pair of penalty corners, Kean took the lead when Patrone assisted Krista LaMaina's 51st-minute goal.

- Kean goalie Megan Houser saved a trio of Isabella Eldridge (Mount Pleasant, S.C.) shots-on-goal in the waning minutes that would have tied the game, and the Cougars also thwarted Tappe Grotos' (Richmond, Va.) 62nd-minute shot by means of a Kayla Molnar defensive save.

- Hannah Chapman (Albury, Australia) made five saves in goal for the Hornets.

LOOKING AHEAD

The Hornets open Old Dominion Athletic Conference play Wednesday with a trip to Lexington, where they'll face league rival Washington and Lee.

--LC--