WASHINGTON, D.C. – Mikayla Martin scored off a feed from Zaria Ascue in the 60^th minute, but Hampton saw the hosts put up an insurance goal in the final five minutes as the Lady Pirates dropped their season opener 3-1 at Howard University on Monday night.

After a scoreless first half, the Bison broke the drought with a pair of goals in a span of just over three minutes.  Unassisted goals by Melea Earley and Nyla Allen put the hosts up 2-0 at the 52^nd minute.

Hampton cut the lead in half in the 60^th minute as Martin took a pass from Ascue and found the lower right corner of the net as the Lady Pirates trailed 2-1.   Howard got the margin back to two as Earley connected with Kenya Saunders in the 85^th minute for the 3-1 lead and win.

Each team had a one shot advantage in the match as Howard outshot Hampton 13-12, but Hampton had one more shot on goal (8-7).  Freshman Sydney Johnson made four saves in her collegiate debut in the net.

Hampton (0-1) will play its first home match of the season on Sunday morning at 11 am taking on South Carolina State at Wanner Stadium in Williamsburg.