WALTHAM, Mass. – Junior Ericka Meissner (Falmouth) scored the game's only goal three minutes into the second half and classmate Julia Hand (Reading) preserved the shutout with two saves in the final minute as Saint Anselm College spoiled Bentley University's home opener, 1-0, in non-conference field hockey Wednesday evening.

Saint Anselm, ranked sixth nationally in Division II, improved to 2-0 while Bentley dropped its first after a 3-0 win over Franklin Pierce kicked off the season.

Following a scoreless opening half, Meissner's redirected a shot from senior Hannah Friend (North Easton) into the cage.

Hand's last minute saves were her first of the season. For Bentley, sophomore net minder Kayleigh Vogel (Greenland, N.H./Portsmouth HS) was credited with six stops.

Saint Anselm finished with a 14-3 advantage in shots and was awarded nine of the contest's 13 penalty corners.

Bentley will be back home on Saturday for a 1:00 Northeast-10 Conference match against St. Thomas Aquinas.