SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — The Wheaton College (Mass.) field hockey defense did all it could to contain the host Western New England University offense, but the Golden Bears scored with just 48 seconds remaining in the game to take an eventual 3-2 victory this evening at Golden Bear Stadium in Springfield, Mass.

The Lyons dip to 0-1 on the season, while Western New England improves to 1-0 in the season opener for both schools.

Despite being outshot, 24-4, by the Golden Bears, Wheaton made the most of its opportunities, scoring twice. WNEU held a decided 12-2 margin on penalty corners as well.

Junior forward Amanda Burns (Attleboro, Mass.) found senior midfielder Carly-Anna Barba (Madison, Conn.) for the game-winning goal at 59:12 of the fourth quarter to put the home team ahead for good at 3-2. The marker was the third lead change of the game. Western New England dominated the quarter with all seven shots in the period.

Senior forward Olivia Eastman (Holderness, N.H.) opened the scoring with an unassisted goal for the Golden Bears just 6:18 into the match for a 1-0 lead. In what would become a theme of the evening, the Lyons matched the score just over five minutes later to pull even at 1-1. Wheaton's Vermont connection combined on the team's first goal with senior midfielder Mackenzie Yates (Brownsville, Vt.) hooking up with classmate Anda Brown (South Woodstock, Vt.) for the goal on the Lyons' only shot of the quarter at 11:26.

Eastman struck again with her second unassisted marker for Western New England to give it a 2-1 edge with 5:53 to play in the opening half of play.

Wheaton sophomore forward Riley Levrault (Lakeville, Mass.) came through with her first collegiate goal on a feed from first year midfielder Maria Worden (Burlington, Vt.) for her first career assist. The goal tied the match at 2-2 just 5:34 into the quarter.

Senior goalie Emma Lapreziosa (Bowdoinham, Maine) recorded 12 saves to mark the 15th double-digit save effort of her career for the Lyons, while junior keeper Zoey Wexler (Manchester, Conn.) stopped two of four shots in 45 minutes of play for WNEU, before yielding to sophomore Elia Henry (Wilbraham, Mass.), who was untested in the final 15 minutes of action.

The Lyons return to action on Tuesday, September 5 when they host Fitchburg State University on Nordin Field at 7:00 p.m., while the Golden Bears head to cross-town rival Springfield College on September 3 at 1:00 p.m.