PHILADELPHIA- The La Salle field hockey team was topped by UMass on Sunday afternoon in a 1-4 contest. The Explorers are now 7-8 on the season and 4-3 in the Atlantic 10.

The Blue and Gold opened on a high note, putting La Salle up on the board first with a goal at 7:34 into play. Sophie Lozowski inserted the ball on a corner play to Abbey Lawrence, who sent it across the circle to Jess Hoffman. The junior tallied her third goal of the season when she sent the ball into the cage past UMass goalkeeper Emily Hazard.

UMass answered the goal within a minute to tie the score. Sarah Hawkshaw took a pass from Nicole Miller and tapped the ball into the cage to give UMass their first goal of the game.

With the score tied at 1-1, the Explorers trailed as UMass put in another goal at 20:49 into play with a shot from Celina Hocks. UMass led the game going into the second half by one.

At 33:15 into play, Katie O'Grady earned her second defensive save of the season when she stopped a shot from Hawkshaw.

The Explorers continued to hold off UMass in the second half until 47:52 into play, when Miller sent a high shot into the cage to give the Minutewomen another goal. Melanie Kreusch of UMass secured the game with a successful penalty stroke at 51:29 into play.

The Explorers will continue their season and wrap up regulation Atlantic 10 play at Saint Francis on Friday, Oct.28 at 3:00 PM. La Salle will then return home for a final game against Georgetown on Sunday, Oct.30 at 12:00 PM.