WALTHAM, Mass. – The first career goal by freshman Meghan Talerman (Centerville, Mass./ Barnstable HS) broke a 1-1 tie in the 12^th minute of the second half and propelled the Bentley University Falcons to a 3-1 win over Saint Anselm College in non-conference field hockey action Tuesday afternoon at Grappone Stadium.

The win was the second in a row after an opening day loss for the Falcons, who began the season ranked 10^th in the National Field Hockey Coaches Association Division II poll. Saint Anselm, which had eight of the game's first nine shots, dipped to 0-2.

It was a 1-1 game at the break with Bentley senior Kaitlin Marciniak (Southbury, Conn./ Pomperaug) putting her team in front with 20:02 until intermission. Her drive from just inside the left side of the circle, Bentley's only shot of the opening half, got by senior goalie Megan Sullivan (Braintree, Mass.) into the back of the cage.

The lead lasted less than a minute, with Saint Anselm senior Kristina Katsikis (Hanover, Mass.) scoring off a centering a pass from junior Elizabeth Sears (Danvers, Mass.).

Talerman's game-winner saw her bring the ball down the left side, going 1-on-1 with a Hawk defender. Sullivan came out to challenge, and Talerman was able to slip the ball between her and the left post.

Freshman Kelsey Howard (Scarborough, Maine/Scarborough HS) provided insurance with exactly 100 seconds remaining, with her first career tally set up by senior Beth Maguire (Medfield, Mass./Medfield HS).

Senior Julia Powell (Southbury, Conn./Pomperaug HS) made four saves, all in the first half, to earn the win in goal for the Falcons, and Sullivan finished with two saves.

Two who didn't figure in the scoring, but were praised by coach Jessica Spencer following the game were seniors Nicole Dion (Lunenburg, Mass./Lunenburg HS) and Kelsey Mattson (Bristol, N.H./ Newfound Reg. HS). "Dion created several penalty corner and scoring opportunities, and Mattson stepped up on defense in key spots," said Spencer.

Shots finished even at eight apiece, with Bentley registering the final seven. Penalty corners were close as well with the Falcons having a slight 10-9 edge.

Bentley, in the midst of five games in nine days to open the season, will open its home schedule Thursday at 7 pm against Merrimack College.