MEQUON, Wis. - Marian University field hockey (1-0, 0-0 SAA) opened its inaugural season with a dramatic 3-2 road win at CUW.

The first quarter was evenly matched with neither team finding the back of the net and both squads sending four shots.  The Falcons opened the scoring with a pair of goals in the second quarter to take an advantage going into halftime.

The break in the action was well spent by the Sabres with freshman Allyson Nichols scoring just 3:38 into the second half with an assist from fellow freshman Jikke Biemans.  The same duo needed just 57 seconds to then tie the game at 2-2.  

The game looked destined to head to overtime before the final minute of action.  The Sabres were able to force a breakaway opportunity inside the final minute which led to a penalty stroke.  Nichols made the most of the opportunity and snuck a shot inside the right post to give Marian the first lead of the game and the win.

Marian finished with an 18-15 edge in shots led by Nichols who had 10 shots, eight of which were on goal.  Junior Brenna Abrahamson (1-0) made nine saves in goal to earn the victory.  She would stop all five shots she saw in the second half.

Marian hosts Earlham at 11 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 4 for the first home game in program history.