OLD WESTBURY, N.Y. – Four goals by Ellie Shuman (Nashua, N.H./Nashua North), two in the 2^nd half by sophomore Melissa Makarius (Smithtown, N.Y./Smithtown East) and a late defensive stop lifted the Bentley University women's lacrosse team to an 8-7 road victory over NYIT on Monday afternoon.

The Falcons, ranked No. 18 in this week's IWLCA poll, were facing their 3^rd ranked team of the season in the 14^th ranked Bears. In earning their first victory of the season, Bentley (1-2) dealt NYIT its first loss of the year (4-1).

Makarius' goal with 12:47 left in the game, assisted by Kathleen Gillespie (Topsfield, Mass./Masconomet), broke a 5-5 tie and gave Bentley the lead. Just before the 10:00 minute mark, Shuman scored her 4^th goal of the day to give them a 7-5 advantage.

NYIT cut the deficit with a goal from senior Katie Meinecke with 6:59 to go, but about a minute and a half later, Makarius netted an unassisted goal to restore Bentley's lead to two goals at 8-6. Just under a minute following that goal, the Bears trimmed it to a one goal game with goal from attacker Karie Znaniecki.

NYIT had a chance to tie as they had possession following a Bentley turnover, and a timeout with 30 seconds left. However, NYIT turned it over, and junior Paige O'Neill (Amityville, N.Y./St. John the Baptist) secured the ground ball with 12 seconds left to seal the victory.

In the first half, Shuman had a hat trick, and Hannah Lindgren (Southborough, Mass./Algonquin) and Erin Woods (Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla./Ponte Vedra) had goals as well, as Bentley led 5-4 at halftime.

Senior goalie Lauren Ochs (Rochester, N.Y./Irondequoit) made four saves to earn the win.

After three straight non-conference games to begin the season, the Falcons open NE10 play on Saturday when they host Le Moyne for their home opener.