FREDERICK, Md.--The Hood College field hockey team (0-1) gave the Bridgewater College Eagles (1-0) all they could handle Thursday, falling 3-2 in the season opener for both schools at Thomas Athletic Field.

The Eagles struck first when Kirsten Ganslow converted a pass from Leah Cossentino in the 19th minute. Then in the final minute of the half, Jennifer Bateman and Kalah Hess found the back of the cage just seven seconds apart as the guests took a 3-0 lead into intermission.

Hood clamped down on defense in the second half, keeping Bridgewater off the scoreboard for the final 35 minutes. Senior Anne Marie Hantman faced 13 shots and made seven saves in the cage.

In the 47th minute, freshman Jennifer Ghio fed sophomore Michelle Buhrman who stroked a penalty corner past Eagle keeper Taylor Waddell to get the Blazers on the board. Ghio picked up her second assist of the day in the 69th minute when she set up freshman Rachel Gannon in front of the cage. But time ran out on the Blazers, who were unable to net the equalizer in the final 1:18.

The contest was a vast improvement for the Blazers, who fell 6-0 to this Bridgewater squad a year ago.

Hood next travels to Cedar Crest College Sunday for its first road contest of the season at 1 p.m.