DANBURY, Conn. - Despite holding a lead early in the second half, the Western Connecticut State University field hockey squad dropped a heartbreaker, falling to visiting non-league foe Westfield State University, 3-2, on Thursday night at the Westside Athletic Complex. 

The Wolves controlled the tempo in the early-going, finishing the opening stanza ahead in shots, 6-1, and penalty corners, 2-0. The hosts drew first blood when junior forward Reagan Schoen (Newtown, Conn.) scurried into the Owls' defensive end and ripped a shot just inside the far post to make it a 1-0 affair in the 25th minute of play. They would hold the advantage at halftime.

Things heated up in the second half. Abby Clark knotted the count at 1-1 less than five minutes into the third. WestConn quickly countered to regain the lead when junior forward Stella Bandak (Middlebury, Conn.) gathered a chip from sophomore Cassidy Nordmann (Bethel, Conn.) in a crowded pack and found the back of the net. However, Westfield took advantage of its few opportunities and rallied to escape with the victory. Sadie Stauffer fired home a goal off a rebound to deadlock the count at 2-2 to start the fourth quarter. The game appeared to be headed to overtime until Kaleigh Murphy netted the game-winner to round the count out at 3-2.

With the loss, the Wolves dropped to 5-6 overall while the Owls improved to 5-6. WestConn returns to action on Saturday at 4 p.m. when they travel to Little East Conference nemesis Plymouth State.