MEADVILLE, Pennsylvania -- The Kenyon College field hockey team could not string together a second consecutive North Coast Athletic Conference win, falling 3-2 to Allegheny College (12-3, 3-2 NCAC). The Gators navigated the wet, cold conditions on their home turf better than the Owls as both teams battled precipitation, wind, and temperatures only a few degrees above freezing.

The Owls were the early aggressors, taking the fight to Allegheny with the game's first four shots in the first six minutes. Kenyon's first attempt at the 2:54 mark was an on-goal shot from Carolyn Herbosa, a senior, that was saved by the Gator goalie. Herbosa followed the attempt with another eight seconds later, but she was blocked.

Senior Bella Kern nearly hit her target on a look at the 5:15 mark, but the ball bounced off the post as Allegheny caught a break. Kern would not be denied 37 seconds later when she swept a ball into the goal after an assist from Kiersten Hoffmann, putting the Owls ahead 1-0.

Despite the early success, the script flipped after Kenyon's goal. Allegheny went into full attack mode, combining for 10 shots (6) and penalty corners (4) over the next eight minutes. The Owls' defense held firm, thwarting the threats as sophomore goalkeeper Megan Lydon saved the two on-target attempts. However, the Gators' pressure prevailed just before the end of the period when they scored after a pass through the Kenyon defense, and a nifty shot from the far right side snuck through to tie things at 1-1.

The second period was devoid of action other than an on-target shot from Kern 36 seconds in and a shot from the Gators at the buzzer. Unfortunately for the Owls, Kern's shot was saved, and Allegheny's last-second shot put the Gators ahead 2-1 at the half. Kenyon played the ball out of bounds after a defensive stop in the final 20 seconds, but the Gators quickly passed deep into the circle and scored from nearly the same spot as their opening score.

The Gators made it 3-for-3 on end-of-quarter goals, scoring at the 43:40 mark in the third period after stealing the ball at midfield and racing down the field for a breakaway score.

After turning away an early Allegheny penalty corner, Kenyon got back on track in the final period. Following their defensive stop, the Owls broke away on a run down the turf when Hoffman found an opening on the left side. She passed the ball to Kern in the middle of the field, who cut up toward the goal and passed to Lana Stone, picking up an assist on the first-year's first intercollegiate score.

The goal cut Kenyon's deficit to 3-2 with 11 minutes to play. The Owls earned a penalty corner in the 54th minute, leading to an on-target shot from Stone, but the shot was saved. Kenyon kept the pressure up when Kern and sophomore Grace Lane took shots on goal in the 56th and 59th minutes, but Allegheny's keeper saved both looks as the Gators preserved a 3-2 win.

The teams were closely matched from a statistics standpoint, with Allegheny finishing with an 11-10 edge in shots. Kenyon held an 8-6 advantage in shots on goal, but timely goals and a 7-2 margin in penalty corners helped the Gators edge out the Owls.

Kenyon's next match is their final home game and penultimate NCAC contest. The Owls are set to host The College of Wooster (6-9, 1-3 NCAC) at noon on Saturday, Oct. 22. The team will celebrate its Senior Day during Saturday's match on The Field at Benson Bowl.