GETTYSBURG, PA (September 18, 2021) -- In a battle of two unbeaten squads, the No. 18 Susquehanna University field hockey team wasted no time with two goals in the opening six minutes to take command in a 3-1 victory over Gettysburg College in non-conference play from Shirk Field Saturday afternoon. 

The River Hawks (5-0) wasted no time getting on the board 33 seconds into the game, earning a penalty corner on their first charge down the field. On the corner the initial drive off the insert was blocked, but Ashley Schreffler was there to collect the ball and feed Annalee Smith to her left who fired home for the 1-0 lead. 

Susquehanna would double its lead thanks to another penalty corner opportunity, as Smith tallied her second goal of the season and game to make it 2-0. The insert went to Katie Koch, who found Smith in front and she beat the Gettysburg keeper to her left at the 5:37 mark to double the advantage for the River Hawks. 

The first quarter stayed filled with goals, but this time it was the host Bullets who tallied in transition thanks to a goal from Henna Fraiman. The River Hawks got caught in an odd-man rush, and Gettysburg converted as Alex Wenz made a move and fed Fraiman for the score. 

Both teams would have strong chances in the second quarter, but Mackenzie Bross was up to the challenge with two big saves for SU to keep it 2-1. Just before halftime though, Susquehanna regained its two-goal edge with a stellar fast break goal. On the play, Smith hammered a pass into the circle that was corralled by first-year Rebecca Ripans. Ripans made a no-look pass to Lydia Hidlay, who fired into an empty net for the score. 

After intermission, Susquehanna nearly added another by Schreffler had her shot stopped off the line by a defensive stop by Sarah Scott. Things would be pretty back-and-forth the final two quarters, but the corner defense for SU was strong, denying Gettysburg on nine second-half penalty corner attempts to secure the win. 

Other Notes

• Both teams finished with nine shots on the game, while Susquehanna held a 6-5 edge in shots on goal. 
• Bross finished with four saves for the River Hawks. 
• Gettysburg held a decided 13-2 edge on penalty corners, but Susquehanna scored on both of their chances. 
• Sam Banks led the team with three shots for SU, while Smith and Schreffler each had a pair of attempts. 
• The current win streak is the longest since the 2016 season when SU had a eight-game winning stretch. 

Up Next

• Susquehanna Field Hockey will take on York College (6-0) Wednesday afternoon at 5 p.m. in Selinsgrove, PA on Sassafras Field. Gettysburg starts Centennial Conference play Friday, September 24 vs. Bryn Mawr College at 3:30 p.m. in Gettysburg. 

Facebook: susquehanna.riverhawks | Instagram: @gosusqu
Twitter: @GOsusqU | Hashtags: #AllIn, #GOSU, #RiverHawkPride