PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. – Bentley gave a strong challenge to #1 nationally ranked Pace, but ultimately fell 17-10 in the first round of the NCAA Championship on Thursday.

A 4-0 Falcons run that spanned the 2^nd and 3^rd quarters got them to within 12-9 at the start of the final 15 minutes.

But Pace outscored Bentley 5-1 in the 4^th frame to pull away for a 17-10 victory.

The Falcons, who made their second ever NCAA Championship appearance, see their season come to an end with an 11-8 record.

The Setters improved to 21-0 and will face either Adelphi or New Haven in the quarterfinals on Saturday.

Senior attacker Maeve Johnson broke the program single season records for both goals and points. She finished the season with 68 goals and 97 points to break the records previously held by Alyssa Ritchie (66 goals and 93 points) set in 2009.

Bentley got off to a strong start when senior midfielder Caroline Affolter scored just 24 seconds into the game.

Pace though would go on a 7-0 run that stretched into the 2^nd quarter to open up a 7-1 lead.

Bentley got back on the scoreboard when Johnson scored at 10:54 of the 2^nd quarter and Courtney Dermody found the back of the net at 9:13.

A 3-0 Pace run gave them an 11-3 lead. But the Falcons finished the half strong by scoring three of the final four goals. Affolter, Johnson and Amanda Davis scored to make it a 12-6 game at the break.

The Falcons then dominated the third quarter 3-0.

Betsy Norko scored unassisted at the 13:00 mark. Johnson then struck twice with goals at 5:45 and 1:15 to get the Falcons to within 12-9 at the start of the 4^th.

Pace opened the 4^th with consecutive goals by Nikki Mottes and Angelina Porcello, before Affolter pulled a goal back for the Falcons to make it a 14-10 game.

However the Setters began to pull away with consecutive goals by Sydney Juvelier to lead 16-10 with 6:46 left in the game.

Johnson finished the game with four goals and one assist and Affolter had three goals. Kat Slattery had a team-high four draw controls. Goalie Lauren Rochel made eight saves against 14 shots faced.