WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Catholic University field hockey team suffered its first Landmark Conference loss of the season on Saturday, 2-1 to Scranton at Cardinal Stadium.

The Cardinals (5-9, 4-1 LC), who had won 10-straight conference contests dating back to a 7-0 win over Drew on Oct. 5, 2019, suffered their first conference loss since a 2-1 overtime defeat to the Royals on Sept. 28, 2019.

Scranton (13-0, 5-0 LC), who is receiving votes in the latest NFHCA Division III National Coaches Poll, got on the board first when Molly Sheehan converted on a penalty corner with no time left on the clock to close out the first quarter.

Just four minutes into the second, Allie Benadon increased the Royals' lead to two when she scored on a loose ball opportunity.

The Cardinals' defense went into lockdown the rest of the game, allowing just one shot in the final 39:43.

Meanwhile, Catholic took six of its seven shots in the second half as the team put pressure on Scranton who made two second-half saves.

Senior Katie Cusumano finally got the Cardinals on the board in the fourth quarter when the midfielder buried a penalty stroke in the top left corner for her team-leading sixth goal of the season.

Despite 13 fourth-quarter penalty corner opportunities, the Cardinals were unable to get the equalizer to force overtime.

Junior Maeve McCarthy made one third-quarter save to keep the Royals off the board in the second half.

Catholic will return to action on Wednesday, Oct. 20 when the team faces its ninth ranked opponent of the season in No. 8 Messiah. Game time is set for 6 p.m.