WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Susquehanna University women's lacrosse team faced their first nationally-ranked opponent of the season Wednesday afternoon, taking on No. 6 The Catholic University of America in Landmark Conference action. Susquehanna (2-3, 2-3 Landmark) dropped a 21-10 decision to the host Catholic Cardinals (6-0, 6-0 Landmark).
 
How It Happened
Catholic came out firing as the Cardinals scored twice 13 seconds apart in the game's opening minute. The hosts went on to build a 6-0 lead with 22:47 left in the first half. The River Hawks used a 3-1 run behind goals from first-year midfielder Caitlin Harvey (Mount Laurel, N.J./Lenape) and attackers Caroline Chase (Trumbull, Conn./Trumbull) and Nicole Hauck (Annandale, N.J./North Hunterdon) to stop the bleeding and cut the deficit to 7-3 with 14:21 remaining in the half.
 
The Cardinals closed out the half on a 4-0 run to stake an 11-3 advantage at halftime.
 
SU's first-year attacker Heather Riefenhauser (Cortlandt Manor, N.Y./Hendrick Hudson) scored the opening goal of the second half 31 seconds in before a 5-1 Cardinal run pushed Catholic's lead to 16-5 with 22:17 on the clock.
 
Chase, Riefenhauser, and first-year midfielder Madi Mitchell (Phillipsburg, N.J./Phillipsburg) all scored in another 3-1 run the River Hawks, trimming the hosts' lead to 17-8 with 16:36 left in the game. Catholic ended the game on a 4-2 run to pick up its sixth consecutive victory.
 
Top Performers
Chase recorded her fourth hat trick of the season to bring her career total to seven as she finished with three goals and an assist while Riefenhauser and Hauck both ended the afternoon with two goals apiece.
 
First-year Liz Hordesky (Hampstead, Md./Manchester Valley) notched season-bests of five ground balls and two caused turnovers to pace the defense while Hauck and first-year midfielder Kelsey Homberg (Livingston, N.J./Livingston) each grabbed six draw controls.
 
Sophomore Emmaleen Regan (Monroe, N.J./Monroe Township) and first-year Bea Daudelin (Baltimore, Md./Western Tech) split equal time with Regan making her third straight start. Regan had five saves while Daudelin made three.
 
Senior attacker Bridget Beck put up nine points on two goals and seven assists while junior midfielder Clare Richards scored four goals, had five draw controls, and scooped up four ground balls. Senior goalie Nanci Hernandez had eight stops and four ground balls.
 
Inside the Box Score
Shots – Susquehanna 25, Catholic 34
Saves – Susquehanna 8, Catholic 8
Turnovers – Susquehanna 19, Catholic 16
Clears – Susquehanna 12-20, Catholic 14-18
Ground Balls – Susquehanna 17, Catholic 24
Draw Controls – Susquehanna 15, Catholic 17
Free Position Shots – Susquehanna 2-3, Catholic 3-5
 
Up Next for the River Hawks
Apr. 18 vs. Elizabethtown (1-6, 1-6 LC) – Senior Day – Selinsgrove, Pa. / Sassafras Multipurpose Field – 11:00 a.m.
 
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