UMBC

Kristi Troster notched her first goal of the season against Lehigh.

Bethlehem, Pa.-Tied at one at halftime, Lehigh notched a pair of second-half goals as the UMBC field hockey team (0-5) dropped its fifth straight, 3-1, to the host Mountain Hawks (2-2) Wednesday evening.

Lehigh struck first at the 18:34 mark as Lindsey Smith ran through the Retriever defense and beat goalie Kat Tag to put the Mountain Hawks up 1-0.

Five minutes before halftime UMBC tied the game off a penalty corner, as junior forward Jessica Smith found senior midfielder Kristi Troster, who beat Lehigh keeper Stephanie Palmieri to even the game going into the break.

The goal was Troster’s first of the season and the 13th of her career, giving her 34 career points and moving her into a tie with former teammate Kristin Ramsay for fourth place all-time on UMBC’s scoring chart. The assist was the first of Smith’s career.

The Retrievers out-shot the Mountain Hawks, 4-2, in the opening half and had three corners to Lehigh’s one. With a 1-1 tie at halftime, the game marked the first time all season UMBC did not trail at the break.

But the Mountain Hawks took the lead for good in the 41st minute, as Marny Hearn found Kara Zweizig, who one-timed the ball into the back of the cage. Lehigh added an insurance goal in the 57th minute when Kelly Fox got her stick on a ball on the goal line and poked it home. Hearn was credited with the assist.

Lehigh out-shot UMBC, 8-1, after halftime and had a 10-5 shot advantage on the night. The Mountain Hawks also held a 6-3 advantage in penalty corners, including 5-0 in the second half.

Tag allowed two goals and did not record a save in 40:20 in the cage before being relieved by junior Ashley Benitez, who stopped three shots while allowing one Mountain Hawk tally in 29:40 of play. Palmieri went the distance, recording three saves and allowing one UMBC goal.

The Retrievers return to action Friday, Sept. 15, as they host St. Francis (Pa.) in their home opener at 7 p.m. at UMBC Stadium.