ALBANY, N.Y. – Russell Sage College sophomore Courtney Bush scored on a header off a corner kick by senior Kennedy Jones midway through the first half for the only goal of the match as Eastern Connecticut State University lost by a 1-0 score for the second time this year in a non-conference match in the first meeting between the programs Sunday night at Albany College of Pharmacy Stadium.
 
Eastern (1-2-0) was coming off a 4-0 win it its home-opener against Fitchburg State University Wednesday night at Rick McCarthy Field where it outshot the Falcons 29-0. Against the Gators (2-1-0), Eastern mustered only six shots in all, with only one of them reaching goal as RSC freshman keeper Olivia Horan eased to her first career shutout in three starts. Because of two cancelled games, the Gators had been idle since last Saturday's 4-2 home win over Nichols College.
 
After compiling 13 corner kicks against Fitchburg and allowing only one, Eastern recorded a 6-2 advantage in that department Sunday but could not capitalize. Eastern had opened its season Sept. 1 in an identical 1-0 loss at Mount Holyoke College, and has given up only two goals in three matches to date.
 
Four of Eastern's starters were in their first seasons at Eastern.
 
For the second straight match, first-year player Kaeden Dublin (Maple Grove, MN) and senior Emily Wallace (Smithtown, NY) shared time in net. Dublin made five saves in the first half in her first career loss after an opening win. Wallace made two saves in the second half.
 
Eastern plays the second of four straight road matches Wednesday at Worcester State University in a non-conference match at 7 p.m. at Coughlin Field. The teams are meeting for the first time since Eastern posted a 1-0 home victory over the Lancers in the first round of the NCAA tournament. The Warriors have won the last three times the teams have met and in four of five encounters in the all-time series which dates back to 1994. Eastern lost, 1-0, in the only meeting between the program at Worcester in 1995.