WALTHAM, Mass. – Senior midfielder Kelsey Howard (Scarborough, Maine/Scarborough HS) took a centering pass from classmate Meghan Talerman (Centerville/Barnstable HS) and put it in the net for what proved to be her second career game-winner as Bentley University opened its season with a 2-1 win over Assumption College in non-conference field hockey action Friday evening at the Bentley Turf Field.

With the game even at one with less than 13 minutes to play, Talerman sent the ball from the right side across the cage to an open Howard. She redirected the ball into the cage to give the Falcons their first lead of 2015.

Assumption got on the board first with senior Kiley Colucci (Gloucester, R.I.) putting her team on top 9:36 into the first on a shot from the right side of the circle.

It remained that way until just 59 seconds remained in the opening half. Falcon senior Leah Winer (Longmeadow/Longmeadow HS) banged in a rebound for the equalizer after Greyhound sophomore goalie Bridget Boyle (Stow) saved a shot by  freshman Mikayla Ullrich (Montclair, N.J./Montclair HS).

Junior Evelyn Schaedel (Burlington, Vt./Burlington HS) earned the victory after making two saves while playing the second half.

Bentley had a substantial edge in shots, 19-9, with most of the difference coming in the first half when the Falcons had a 15-4 advantage. Penalty corners also went in favor of the home team, 7-4.

Boyle recorded nine saves in her Assumption debut.

Bentley is back on the field Sunday morning with an 11 am non-conference contest at Franklin Pierce.