OWINGS MILLS, Md. – Senior Alison Kagel tallied her fifth goal of the season to bring the Mustangs back within one in the second half, but Stevenson could not overcome two quick first-half goals by Shenandoah and fell, 3-1, Saturday night at Mustang Stadium.

The loss is the second in a row for Stevenson (5-3) who had previously won three straight.  Shenandoah (3-4), meanwhile, stopped a three-game losing streak after back-to-back wins to start the month.

Hornet forward Ashley Cross scored twice in the opening ten minutes for the Hornets as the visitors levelled the all-time series at 2-2 with the victory.  Stevenson nearly got one back quickly, but senior Caitlin Dempsey's deflection was saved off the line.

Shenandoah took the 2-0 lead into half before Kagel brought one back for the hosts shortly after the break.  Following a penalty corner just over two minutes into the second period, senior Ariella Hopp sent the ball in from the top of the circle where Dempsey redirected the ball into the path of Kagel who slotted home from the left side.

The Hornets responded with a flurry of penalty corners, and midway through the second half made the pressure count as Sarah Brock restored the two-goal lead by jamming the ball home from close range at the 55:37 mark.

Stevenson kept pushing forward, but could not crack the Shenandoah defense.  With less than a minute remaining the Mustangs put Hornet keeper Jenna Rampale under pressure, forcing the freshman keeper into two saves before Dempsey saw her shot got just wide.

Rampale made five saves for the Hornets, while Stevenson sophomore Gabriella Brooks equaled her with five stops of her own.

Stevenson now hits the road to take on Immaculata on Wednesday before opening Commonwealth Conference play at Messiah next Saturday. The Mustangs return home to host Gettysburg on October 1.