SWARTHMORE, Pa.–The Swarthmore College field hockey team dropped a narrow, 1-0 loss to the visiting Dickinson College Red Devils in its Centennial Conference opener on Saturday, Sep. 16.

Swarthmore withstood 15 shots from the Red Devils, including 11 on goal, to remain within striking distance throughout the entire contest. Zelda Bank made 10 saves in the cage to keep the game tight.

Swarthmore, however, registered the first shot of the afternoon as Clare Perez put one toward goal at 2:50, but Dickinson controlled much of the possession and held it in its offensive end. Bank came up big with a pair of early denials before the visitors redirected the ball in a scrum after a penalty corner to put the eventual game-winner on the board at 18:07. Neither team could find an offensive rhythm for the remainder of the half as defense ruled the day.

In the second period, Bank recorded two more saves in the opening minutes and followed up with two more shortly after. The Garnet earned a potential opportunity with a Dickinson green card at 45:09, but could not convert the advantage. After a timeout, Swarthmore regrouped and contested the game down the stretch, keeping the Red Devils within its sights. The visitors, however, emerged victorious and ended a three-game win streak for Swarthmore.

The field hockey team travels to nationally-ranked Ursinus for a night game on Wednesday, Sep. 20 at 7 p.m.