WALTHAM, Mass. – Bentley University played a strong game against Merrimack Wednesday afternoon, but the visiting Warriors emerged with a 2-0 victory over the women's soccer team in a Northeast-10 match.

Merrimack jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the sixth minute on a goal by senior Danielle Dion. Dion took a long pass from midfield and controlled the ball with a good first touch. She then made a move into the penalty area and fired a shot from 12 yards out into the upper left corner of the net.

Bentley though created its share of good chances in the first half. In the 16^th minute, freshman Ana Tantum (Trumbull, Conn./Trumbull) created space for herself at the top of the box and fired a shot that went just over the crossbar. In the 24^th minute, senior Sydney Spiegel (South Easton, Mass./Oliver Ames) made a run down the right flank and got off a shot that sailed just over the bar.

Tantum had another shot in the 41^st minute that just missed over the crossbar.

Leading 1-0 entering the second half, Merrimack created the first two quality scoring chances, both coming from freshman Megan Gada. Her first chance, in the 54^th minute, required a nice save by Bentley goalie Christiana Hynds (West Roxbury, Mass./Boston Latin) that pushed the ball over the bar.

Bentley's best scoring chance in the second half was created by Tantum in the 73^rd minute. She made a run down the right wing and sent a cross into the six-yard box that senior Jenna Skagerlind (Holden, Mass./Wachusett Regional) met, only to have her shot go just over the crossbar.

Just three minutes later Merrimack took advantage and went ahead 2-0 in the 76^th minute on a goal by freshman Olivia Downey. Hynds made a save on an initial shot by Dion, but could not get to the rebound before Downey did.

Hynds ended up with seven saves on the afternoon for the Falcons, who close out the regular season Saturday at home against No. 5 Saint Rose. Kickoff is set for 11:30 am.