WASHINGTON, DC - The Rhodes College field hockey team took a 1-0 lead into the break, but the 19th-ranked Catholic Cardinals proved to be too much as they scored five goals in the second half to pull away and defeat the Lynx, 5-2.

It is the Lynx first loss of the season as they move to 3-1 overall. Catholic out shot the Lynx 20-10, including a 9-3 advantage in the second half. The Cardinals also held a 12-6 advantage in shots on target while earning 13 penalty corners to only eight for Rhodes.

Senior Mackenzie Busby got the Lynx on the board 18 minutes into the first half as she fought through traffic and got a shot off from the top of the circle for the early lead.  Despite 11 shots from the Cardinals, the Rhodes defense held strong and held the 1-0 lead going into the second half.

However, Rhodes could not hold much longer in the second half as Catholic got a pair of goals in the first five minutes of the second half to take a 2-1 lead.

Freshman Hailey Mules evened the score with a goal 12 minutes later to tie the score at two, but the Cardinals got a goal back three minutes later and proceeded to score two more to erase any thoughts of an upset as they prevailed.

Senior Erin Best led the offensive attack with three shots while junior Lauren Travis added two shots on the afternoon. Junior Laura Eckelkamp suffered her first loss of the season, but had seven saves in the losing effort.

The Lynx will prepare to open up Southern Athletic Association play next weekend at Mason Field and what better way to open the conference season then with a rematch of last year's SAA Championship. Rhodes will take on Centre on Saturday for Parents and Family Weekend at 11 AM.