The 17th ranked University of Mary Washington field hockey team dropped a 4-3 decision to Catholic University on Tuesday afternoon at the Battleground. The Eagles slip to 5-4 on the season.

The Cardinals opened the scoring just 5:13 into the contest, as Kerri Shallow scored on a Hannah Scheid assist. The Eagles answered three minutes later, as Lauren Hopkins scored on a Morgan MacCartney pass. 

CUA regained the lead at 10:44, as Jess Waite scored on a Shallow assist, but once again UMW tied the score less than three minutes later, as MacCartney scored after a loose ball went to her stick in front of goal. After the four-goal outburst in an 8:17 span, both defenses tightened, and the score remained tied 2-2 at halftime.

UMW took the lead 4:48 into the second half, as senior Erin Kaila scored on a penalty stroke. The Cardinals tied the score just over one minute later, and found the eventual game winner with 25:07 left.

Catholic led in shots, 12-11, as well as on penalty corners, 5-3. UMW goalkeeper Jessica Cavolt had six saves and freshman defender Jackie Smith one defensive save for the Eagles, while Sophia hamilton had seven saves for Catholic.

UMW will return to action on Thursday when they host Randolph-Macon College at 5:00 p.m.