BOSTON, Mass. – Visiting Mount Ida College outshot Wheelock 16-9 but allowed a goal in each half and ran out of time for a comeback in a 2-1 loss to the Wildcats in non-conference field hockey on Monday evening at Winsor Field. 

Sophomore Lexi Minicucci's (Westfield, Mass.) strike with under three minutes left in regulation was not enough to stop the Mustangs from dropping to 1-6. 

A goal apiece from junior midfielder Courtney Scherer (Pawcatuck, Conn.) and sophomore forward Katie Frade (Dartmouth, Mass.) helped Wheelock improve to 2-3 on the season. 

In the opening period, Mount Ida outshot Wheelock 9-5 and led on penalty corners, 5-1. The Mustangs were inches away from netting the first goal of the night at 16:16, but Jen Ryan (Bellingham, Mass.) was there for her fourth defensive save of the season, snuffing out an attempt by Mustang freshman Sarah Hemstock (Northford, Conn.). 

Scherer struck first at the 29-minute mark, chipping in a ball from junior mid Emma Panto (Somers, Conn.) in a scramble at the net immediately following a penalty corner. Despite the visitor's advantage in shots and corners, Wheelock held the Mustangs scoreless over the final 6 minutes of the half, heading into the break up 1-0. 

Again, it was Wheelock who scored first in the second half. At 42:37, sophomore midfielder Alexandria LeBlanc (Atkinson, N.H.) found herself on a breakaway alone up the right side of the field, and a quick slip left to Frade would up the Wildcats lead to two. 

Wheelock enjoyed their 2-0 lead for much of the second period, until Minicucci found the back of the net with under three minutes to play for her fourth goal of the year. Mount Ida would keep the Wildcats on their toes for the remainder of the game with multiple scoring opportunities, but eventually fell short. 

Overall, Mount Ida held a 10-5 advantage in penalty corners in addition to outshooting their opponents. 

Sophomore Emily McConnell (Lowell, Mass.) made two saves in the loss, while Cassidy Smith (South Berwick, Maine) turned aside seven out of eight shots on goal for the Wildcats. 

Mount Ida hosts Bay Path University on September 24. 

Wheelock plays next on Wednesday, September 23, when they travel to Rivier University for a 7:00 pm contest.