Union, N.J. -- The 13th-ranked University of Lynchburg field hockey team fell behind early, and No. 10 Kean pulled away late to secure a 4-1 win over the Hornets Sunday afternoon.

Lynchburg's Kessa Romero spoiled the Cougars' shutout bid, however, scoring on a Jackie Lerro assist shortly following a 59th-minute penalty corner.

It was one of just four shots the Hornets (1-3) managed on goal in the game, as the Kean defense made execution difficult for the Lynchburg attack.

The Cougars had much better luck on the offensive end. Kean took 21 shots, 20 of them on goal, and Lynchburg goaltenders Kayla Brady and Kierra Byrd totaled 16 saves on the day. It was the most saves in a single game for the Hornets since an Oct. 2, 2013 loss to Mary Washington, and Brady's 11 stops are the most for a Lynchburg goalie since Laurel Nicks' 14-save effort against Salisbury in the 2019 NCAA tournament. Byrd's five saves were a career-high for the freshman.

Kean got the scoring started in the ninth minute when Peyton Mann found the back of the cage, and Lia DiPiazza doubled the Cougar advantage in the 26th minute to make the score 2-0 headed into halftime.

Kean added a pair of fourth-quarter goals to put the game out of reach before Romero broke through for Lynchburg in the 59th minute.

The Hornets did not have many shots, but they did have ample chances. Lynchburg earned 12 penalty corners to the Cougars' 10 in the game. Six of Lynchburg's 10 shots came in the fourth quarter.

The loss extends Lynchburg's losing streak in the Garden State to four games, a skid extending back to the 2011 season. The Hornets' record is much better back home in the Hill City, however, and that's where they will head next. Lynchburg will take on No. 15 Ursinus Friday, Sept. 17 at the Liberty University Field Hockey Complex. Lynchburg is 8-1 on the LU turf since it began playing a series of home games at the facility in 2017.

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--LYN--