WALTHAM, Mass. – First-half goals by senior Becca Moore (Belmont/Belmont HS) and sophomore Taylor Kane (Bethlehem, Pa./Liberty HS) sent the Bentley University Falcons into halftime riding a 2-1 lead and the Falcons went on to top visiting American International College 3-1 in Northeast-10 Conference field hockey Tuesday night.

Bentley, continuing a season-long trend of alternating wins and losses, improved to 5-4 overall, 3-1 in conference play and 4-1 at home. AIC fell to 2-6 overall with the Yellow Jackets' NE-10 record the direct opposite of the Falcons.

Moore staked Bentley to the early lead in the seventh minute when she sent a centering pass from senior Meghan Talerman (Centerville/Barnstable HS) past AIC netminder Taylor Ross (Stroudsburg, Pa.) and into the cage.

The lead was short-lived as senior Ainsee Penfield (Greenfield) got the visitors on the scoreboard at 12:14 of the first, scoring from the left corner of the circle.

Kane broke the tie and put Bentley in front to stay with 13:47 left until intermission, scoring an unassisted goal on a shot from the top of the circle. It was her first goal of the season and first career game-winner.

Bentley picked up an insurance goal with 23:08 to play, senior Kelsey Howard (Scarborough, Maine/Scarborough HS) netting her team-leading third of the fall.

Junior Evelyn Schaedel (Burlington, Vt./Burlington HS) handled duties in net for Bentley and finished with one save in a game that saw the Falcons own advantages of 15-6 in shots and 9-3 in penalty corners. Bentley also received a defensive save from sophomore Caitlin Derrickson (Lawrence/ Central Catholic HS).

Ross made six stops for AIC and three of her teammates were credited with defensive saves.

Bentley will remain at home for a 2 pm Saturday encounter with St. Michael's College.