CHARLOTTE, N.C.- The Queens University of Charlotte field hockey team opened its season today at Bessant Field, falling to Belmont Abbey, 4-2.
 
Victoria Tredinnick and Jill Sherman each scored in the match while Gabe Lechner recorded an assist. In goal, Avian Thompson recorded three saves.
 
Trailing 1-0 early, Queens' Tredinnick found the back of the net to knot the match at 1-1 following a penalty corner by the Royals. Lechner assisted on the play.
 
The Crusaders then used a pair of second-quarter goals to take a 3-1 lead into the halftime break. The first of the period was scored by Lauren Delisi on a rebounded shot that was saved by Queens' Thompson. They then followed with another scored off a penalty corner situation.
 
Following a scoreless third quarter, Queens was able to pull within one when a foul inside the shooting circle awarded the home team a penalty stroke. Sherman stepped up to put the ball in the back of the cage in the 50^th minute, giving the game a 3-2 score. However, the Crusaders were able to score once more in the 55^th sneaking a deflected ball into the goal and putting them ahead by two, 4-2, for the remainder of play.
 
The Royals edged the Crusaders in shots, 13-12, as both teams put seven shots on goal. Additionally, the Royals totaled 12 penalty corners to Belmont Abbey's six.
 
The Crusaders had four different players score each of their goals. Additionally, Julianna Smith recorded the win in the cage after totaling five saves.
 
Queens will be back in action on Tuesday, March 2 when they travel to Coker for a 4 p.m. match.