HUNTINGDON, PA (October 13, 2021) -- The Susquehanna University field hockey team tallied twice in a four-minute stretch in the second quarter Wednesday at Juniata College, propelling the River Hawks to a 3-0 Landmark Conference victory in play from Knox Stadium. 

The win was an important one for the River Hawks (10-3, 2-2 Landmark), who moved into a tie for fourth place with Saturday's opponent Elizabethtown College. SU got out a quick start, dominating possession and playing well in the opening quarter, but couldn't breakthrough despite six shots in the first quarter. 

Susquehanna would finally see its strong offensive play bear fruit early in the second stanza on a penalty corner. After Juniata (2-12, 1-3 Landmark) pushed the ball out of the circle, Annalee Smith sent it back in to senior Samantha Banks, who turned and fired a shot that was deflected into the air. First-year Kari Schmidt was in front, and made an incredible reverse flick on off a ball at head height which beat the Juniata goalkeeper for a 1-0 lead. 

Minutes later, SU doubled its lead over the Eagles as Banks' hard work in the offensive zone led to a Cassie West goal. On the play, Banks stole the ball from a Juniata defender and crossed the ball in front, where West was able to deflect the feed between the goalkeepers pads for the score. 

After a scoreless third quarter, the River Hawks put the game away in the fourth as Allyson Heard scored in transition off a nice play through midfield to make it 3-0. That was plenty of offense for SU, as the backfield allowed only one shot all game including none on cage. 

Heard and Katie Koch fired three shots with two on goal, while Smith and Banks each finished with two shots on goal as well. SU outshot its hosts 13-1 on the night, and also earned 13 of the game's 16 penalty corners. Mackenzie Bross had no shots on goal to deal with, but still recorded her sixth shutout of the 2021 campaign. Nicole Piccioni stopped seven SU shots for the Eagles. 

Up Next

• The River Hawks host the Blue Jays of Elizabethtown Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. for Senior Day, honoring the team's nine seniors prior to the contest. 

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