MADISON, N.J. – The top-seeded FDU-Florham field hockey team dropped a hard-fought 2-0 decision to No. 4 seeded DeSales University in the Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom semifinal match at Robert T. Shields Wednesday night.

FDU-Florham dominated in the second half, outshooting their opponent, 18-6, in that period, and enjoyed a 16-5 penalty corner advantage overall, but just couldn't break through the solid DeSales defense.

Despite being on the attack for the majority of the game, the Devils found themselves down early when the Bulldogs' Kylie Honnick-Payne scored on a breakaway just 8:34 into the contest.

The Devils worked hard to find the equalizer as junior forward Brooke Sherwin fired seven shots and senior forward Marissa Kowalskie put four on goal. Junior defender Makayla Pak made several key plays to hold off the opposing attack while taking four shots on the attack.

With just five minutes remaining in the first the Devils had their best scoring opportunity when Kowalskie fed a ball into the circle that freshman Marissa Colvin redirected, but DeSales goalie Katarina Polyviou was there to make the save.

In the 47^th minute of the game, FDU-Florham utilized a five-minute power play to pound shots on their opposition, but Polyviou came up big, recording eight stops in the night to hold the lead.

In an act of desperation to tie things up, the Devils pulled junior goalie Samantha Rubin to have an extra player on the field. However, a defensive mishap allowed Honnick-Payne to run the ball in and slam away an easy empty net goal to put things at 2-0 with three minutes remaining.

FDU-Florham never gave up, taking five shots in the last two minutes of the game, but couldn't convert in time to make up the difference.

In goal, Rubin made three saves to keep the Devils within reach.

The Devils (13-7) will now wait to hear about other postseason opportunities.