SELINSGROVE, PA (October 26, 2022) – Susquehanna field hockey returned to home turf on Wednesday evening after coming off a weekend that saw them suffer their first conference loss of the season on the road at Scranton. Back home and taking on Marywood University for their final non-conference match on the schedule, the River Hawks got back to winning ways with a 4-1 victory.
Scoring chances came early and often for SU, with the team tallying six shots in just the first period, totaling 20 on the day. The early chances would pay off in the final seconds of the first period as first-year Kaylee Mende was well-placed inside the circle to put home a pass from Ashley Schreffler and give Susquehanna the lead while scoring the first goal of her collegiate career.
Marywood would begin to push back in the second period after going shotless in the first, earning multiple penalty corners in quick succession and making one pay in the 23rd minute to tie the game at 1. That score would not last long though as SU returned fire less than two minutes later, reestablishing their lead through Kari Schmidt, who was also set up by a pass from Schreffler and blasted home a shot from near the top of the circle.
Keeping with their trend of tallying in each period, the River Hawks scored again in the third period around halfway through, forcing sustained pressure and having a shot from Sophia Prata saved just prior to the third goal, which saw Alli Kiley get on a ball that bounced tantalizingly in the heart of the circle, between some Pacer defenders and onto her stick.
While the lead was more comfortable at 3-1, the River Hawks still had some defending to do, as Marywood forced six saves from goalkeeper Mackenzie Bross, with Ashley Derrick coming in as relief in the fourth period and making two more saves to protect the scoreline. The result was sealed in favor of SU in the final minutes, as Schreffler finally got a goal of her own after the two assists. She traded roles with Schmidt, who tallied the assist on the fourth goal. The tally is her eighth of the campaign, a total which sees her leading the entire Landmark Conference.
Now 14-5 overall and 5-1 in the Landmark, Susquehanna will conclude the regular season on Saturday afternoon, remaining at home to host Landmark opponent Drew University. Having already sealed a second-place finish in the conference and the opportunity to host their semifinal matchup in the Landmark Tournament, the River Hawks will look to build momentum to carry into the postseason.
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--RIVER HAWKS--
