MEADVILLE, Pa. -- The Washington & Jefferson field hockey team fell behind at halftime and dropped a 3-1 decision to host Allegheny College in a non-conference match Wednesday afternoon at the Blue Turf in Meadville. 

The loss drops W&J to 2-6 overall while Allegheny improves to 9-1 in 2022. 

After a scoreless first quarter, the Gators scored a pair of second quarter goals to take the advantage. Kelsey Anderson opened the scoring with a deflection into the cage that gave Allegheny a 1-0 lead early in the second quarter. Anderson played a role in the next Allegheny goal as well, as she assisted a score by Debbie Nalesnik about two minutes later. The Gators took a 2-0 advantage into halftime as they out-shot the Presidents by a 9-2 in the first half. 

W&J started the third quarter strong, as junior Hailey Wachowiak (Wexford, Pa./North Allegheny) raced down the right side and into the circle before scoring past Allegheny goalkeeper Hallie Reiger just 2:44 into the second half. The score was the team-leading eighth goal of the season. The score remained 2-1 in favor of the Gators heading to the fourth quarter. 

Maya Francisco tallied an insurance goal for the Gators in the opening minute of the fourth quarter. The Gators withstood some offensive pressure by the Presidents to earn the two-goal victory. 

Junior goalkeeper Anastasia Godat (Baltimore, Md. / Concordia Preparatory School) recorded eight saves in the loss. 

Allegheny held advantages in shots (18-12), shots on goal (11-7) and corner opportunities (11-7). 

W&J travels to the Sage Colleges in Albany, New York for an Empire 8 match on Sunday, Oct. 2. Start time is set for 3:30 p.m.