LEICESTER, Mass. -- The Mount Ida College field hockey team made history, and a resounding statement when they took the field on Friday afternoon for their first game as a varsity program. The Mustangs dominated play and worked like a veteran team, though unfortunately settled for a final score-line of a 1-0 victory by hosts Becker College.

With just two weeks of preseason and one scrimmage under their belt, Mount Ida outshot Becker 23-4, including a 17-4 advantage in shots on goal, and earned themselves 19 penalty corners, but were unable to find a goal to even the score after an early Hawks tally.

Senior Brenna Santos (East Falmouth, Mass.) made three saves in the loss, while the work of Becker junior goalie Gabrielle Gallo (Northport, N.Y.), who was forced into making 17 saves to earn the shutout, kept Becker on top in their opening game of the 2014 campaign.

Becker got the lone goal just 2:53 into the game when sophomore Brittney Bebeau (Harrisville, R.I.) buried a rebound near the left post.

The Mustangs had their opportunities score, the best of which coming with 12:32 remaining in regulation, when they earned a penalty stroke, which freshman Cregan Callahan (Diamond Point, N.Y.) fired just wide left.

First year Lexi Minicucci (Westfield, Mass.) fired ten shots, six of them on goal, to lead the Mustang attack.

The Mustangs will look for their first victory as a program when they visit Nichols College on Saturday, September 6 at 11:00 a.m.

The Hawks return to action on Tuesday, September 2 when they travel to Simmons College at 7:00 p.m.