PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla.  Whitman's four-event stay in Florida for the 2018 SpringFling opened Tuesday with a tough 14-11 loss to Eastern Connecticut State University.

The Blues (1-2) slipped behind early but after three unanswered goals to draw even at 4-4 the battle with the Warriors (1-2) remained nip and tuck.

Eastern Connecticut pushed ahead with a pair of scores but Sage Ali answered with two of her own to square the match.

The largest goal differential the rest of the way was an ECSU 9-6 advantage early in the second half after the Warriors scored the final tally of the opening 30 minutes and the first two of the second half.

Olivia Engle's free position shot cut the deficit by one and later in the half goals from Nina Moore and Ellie Teare would bring the Blues to within one at 10-9. But the Warriors scored four of the last goals to outlast Whitman's challenge and claim the non-conference victory.

Ali  and Teare led the Blues attack with three and two goals each, respectively.

Whitman continues action in the SpringFling Wednesday with a game against Ramapo (N.J.) College.