FROSTBURG, Md. – The Frostburg field hockey team collected an impressive defensive effort on Thursday night as it endured a 3-1 loss to No. 17 York (Pa.).
 
Senior Nicole Leighty stopped 15 shots and senior Savannah Neubert registered four defensive saves as the Bobcats (5-14, 0-6) held the nationally-ranked Spartans (12-5, 4-2) to just three goals.
 
Leighty's 15 saves marked the fifth time she has registered more than 10 in a game this season, while Neubert's four saves are one shy of tying the program record.
 
York (Pa.) took a 1-0 lead in the 23^rd minute after Frostburg was whistled for an infraction. The Spartans were awarded a penalty stroke and Ali Posey converted the attempt.
 
Just over five minutes into the second half, the upset-minded Bobcats answered when senior Ivy Meissner knocked home a long shot that equaled the score. Junior Cara Morrell knocked the ball in play off a penalty corner and Meissner scored on the attempt for her fourth goal of the season.
 
The visitors turned up the pressure on their offensive end following the Bobcat goal. York (Pa.) rattled off 13 shots over the next 20 minutes before the 14^th attempt found the net. Dana Meehling ripped a shot for the Spartans that was kicked away by Leighty, but Paige Taylor corralled the rebound and scored for a 2-1 lead.
 
Eight minutes later, Meehling attempted another shot that was turned away by Leighty. However, the ball again found a York player and Autumn Mallory buried the rebounded shot for the 3-1 final.
 
Eleven of Leighty's 15 saves came in the frenzied second half. Neubert also did her part to keep the Bobcats in the game with three defensive saves in the second stanza.
 
York (Pa.) outshot Frostburg 31-3 and was awarded 21 penalty corners.