ANNVILLE, Pa. – The Albright Lions field hockey team let a 3-1 first half lead slip away as they dropped a 4-3 contest to Lebanon Valley on Saturday night in MAC Commonwealth play.
 
With the loss, the Lions drop to 6-8 on the season and 1-3 in MAC Commonwealth play. Meanwhile, the Dutchmen improve to 7-7 overall and 2-2 in conference play.
 
Both teams traded early chances in the first six minutes with a combined three shots. Junior Kaley Donmoyer scored the first goal of a wild first half in the ninth minute after slinging the ball in the net following a centering pass from sophomore Bailey Lehman. Senior Annette Helmandollar nearly extended the lead two minutes later, but her shot was saved by a Dutchmen defender. Lebanon Valley then used momentum from the save to tie the game at one in the 13^th minute off a deflection. The Lions used a big push following the goal to take the lead back at 2-1 in the 17^th minute as Helmandollar scored after battling with the Dutchmen goalkeeper in front of the net for the ball. Albright continued to control play as the first half wound down and extended its lead to 3-1 in the 32^nd minute as Lehman blasted a shot from the circle after receiving the ball from classmate Jennifer Crumling on a penalty corner. However, the Dutchmen quickly countered with a rush that ended with a penalty stroke goal to make it a 3-2 game with 16 seconds left in the first half.
 
The Dutchmen started the second half with five penalty corner opportunities in the first 11 minutes, but were unable to tie the game despite four shots. Albright had its best chance in the second half in the 55^th minute when Helmandollar had a shot saved by the Dutchmen goalkeeper. Lebanon Valley would be able to tie the game in the 58^th minute with a slow roller that got in the net past a defender. The Dutchmen continued to control play and got its game-winning goal in the 64^th minute on a wrap-around shot. Albright had one last penalty corner opportunity in the 67^th minute, but were unable to get the shot off as the Dutchmen were able to avenge last season's 1-0 loss to the Lions.
 
Lebanon Valley held a 14-13 overall shot advantage for the game after out-shooting the Lions 8-3 in the first half. The Dutchmen also held an 8-4 advantage in penalty corners as well. Sophomore goalkeeper Brynne Schoppe suffered the loss after making three saves in the full 70 minutes and junior Kyra Scerbo made one defensive save. The Dutchmen used two goalkeepers, who each played 35 minutes, and Nikki Willi earned the win after playing the second half with two saves.
 
The Lions return to action on Wednesday, October 17^th when they will host crosstown rival Alvernia at 4 p.m. in MAC Commonwealth play.