WALTHAM, Mass. – Bentley field hockey valiantly battled back from a 3-0 deficit but ultimately fell in overtime to Franklin Pierce 4-3 on Wednesday night.

A third quarter goal by Madeline Krepelka and fourth quarter tallies by Emily Spadorcia and Lilly Cook erased a 3-0 deficit. Cook's goal with 4:38 remaining in regulation tied it 3-3 and eventually sent the game to overtime.

Franklin Pierce's Abigail Tarka scored the winner 5:06 into the second overtime period.

Bentley's comeback began when Krepelka scored her second goal of the year 7:19 into the third quarter as they took advantage of a penalty corner.

Emily Stagnone got the play started with a pass out to Kiara Russell, who then slid a pass over to Kaitie Ryan. Ryan fired a pass into the circle that Krepelka got her stick on and tipped past the Franklin Pierce goalie.

The Falcons cut the deficit to one on a goal by Spadorcia early in the fourth quarter.

As the Ravens attempted to push the ball up field, Russell made a steal and sprinted down the right side. As she entered the circle, she evaded several FPU defenders and slid a perfectly timed pass to Spadorcia in front for the goal, her first of the season.

The comeback was completed when Lilly Cook roofed a penalty stroke goal to tie the game 3-3 with 4:38 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Bentley finished the night with a 27-9 edge in total shots and 13-7 in shots on goal, but FPU's Zoe Noorlag made nine saves.

Bentley's Olivia Heryla made three saves in 64 minutes of action.

Next up for the Falcons is the Northeast 10 opener at home on Saturday against Saint Anselm. Game time is 12:00 pm.