CENTER VALLEY, Pa. --- The Moravian College field hockey team opened its 2012 season with a 3-1 setback at DeSales University in non-conference action Saturday.

The Bulldogs would take a 1-0 lead in the 13th minute when freshman midfielder Meryah Harding knocked in a centering pass from sophomore Alison Malatesta.  Sophomore defender Alyssa Malatesta scored in the 19th minute off of a pass from Alison Malatesta, and the duo connected again in the 29th minute to give DeSales a 3-0 lead.

Early in the second half the Greyhounds had a chance to score when senior forward Tori Poliskiewicz got a shot past DeSales senior goalie Victoria DelToro but Bulldogs' junior defender Sam Szathmary was there to make a defensive save.  Moravian would get on the scoreboard in the 49th minute when junior midfielder Keriann Badessa scored her first goal with the Greyhounds inside the far post off of a pass from junior midfielder/forward Chelsea Grotyohann.

The Greyhounds finished the match with a 17-14 edge in shots and a 14-8 advantage in penalty corners, but Moravian was unable to get another goal.  Greyhounds senior goalie Catherine Gottlieb had seven saves in the match while DelToro had seven stops for DeSales.

Moravian will open its 2012 home season on Wednesday, September 5th when the squad hosts Keystone College at 4:00 p.m. at Betty Prince Field.