Field Hockey Hands Catholic First Loss of the Season in Landmark Opener

SELINSGROVE, Pa. – Susquehanna University's senior back Julia Amendola (Mountain Top, Pa./Bishop Hoban) tallied her second gamewinning goal of the season in a 4-3 double overtime victory over The Catholic University of America in the 2010 Landmark Conference opener on Sept. 25.

Amendola notched the game-winner in the 86th minute of play off a rebound from a shot by junior back Laurel Monaghan (East Fallowfield, Pa./Coatesville Area).

SU (5-4, 1-0) scored the first goal of the game at the 10-minute mark of the first half on a corner. Monaghan registered the goal off passes from sophomore midfielder Ally Bradley (Jamison, Pa./Central Bucks South) and junior back Diana Mask (Wilmington, Del./Mount Pleasant).

Previously unbeaten Catholic (7-1, 0-1), allowed just one goal this season leading up to today's matchup. The only goal the Cardinals surrendered was to then nationally ranked No. 8 Rowan.

After SU took a 1-0 lead, Catholic rolled off two goals in two minutes to grab their only lead of the game.

Senior midfielder Rebecca Entwistle (Wall Twp./Wall) tied the contest at 2 in the 25th minute on a centering pass from Amendola.

Bradley, then put the Crusaders back on top with her team-leading seventh goal of the season with just under two minutes left in the first half. Entwistle picked up the assist on the score.

For the majority of the second half, both teams were in a defensive battle, until Catholic netted a goal in the 60th minute. The Cardinals had three opportunities on corners to end the game with no time left on the clock, but their final effort was stopped by Amendola to send the game into overtime.

In the first overtime period, Catholic once again found itself with a chance to end the game with the clock on zero, but was unable to get a shot off from another corner.

The game ended with just over three minutes left before the game would be decided on penalty strokes after Monaghan's shot was deflected towards Amendola.

Freshman Margaret Ruth (Lewisberry, Pa./Northern) made seven saves to earn her second win of the season in all 97 minutes of action.

Next game: Thursday, Sept. 30, at Lebanon Valley, 4 p.m.