WAYNE, N.J. – William Paterson (1-2) took the early lead but eventually succumbed to visiting Scranton (3-0), 5-2, during the Pioneers' field hockey home opener Sept. 6.
 
Sophomore back Nicole Goitiandia (South Plainfield, N.J./South Plainfield) poked home a backhanded shot 15:30 into the contest off an assist from classmate Shannon Super (Oaklyn, N.J./Collingswood) to hand WP a 1-0 edge.
 
Senior forward Meredith Campbell let loose a long blast to get the Royals on the scoreboard and tie the game in the 32nd minute. Junior forward Elizabeth Tolley finished a loose ball during a scramble in front of goal, making it a 2-1 Scranton advantage 37 seconds into the second half, but sophomore back Carly Miceli (South Plainfield, N.J./South Plainfield) found the left side of the cage from a tough angle near the right end line, notching her first career goal and knotting the score at 2-2 at the 39:51 mark.
 
Less than a minute later, Tolley slotted a shot past WP's diving goalie for a 3-2 Royal edge. Freshman midfielder/forward Megan Gallagher spun to her right and scored to the right side in the 54th minute, and Tolley finished off her hat trick thanks to a penalty corner inserted by Campbell and passed off by junior midfielder/forward Katherine McVeagh with less than seven minutes remaining.
 
Junior Mallory Rickerhauser (Lumberton, N.J./Rancocas Valley Regional) made nine saves for the Pioneers, and freshman Jenna Cyr finished with one stop for Scranton.
 
William Paterson will compete at Moravian Saturday, Sept. 9, at 1:00 p.m.
 
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