SELINSGROVE, PA (March 1, 2022) -- The Susquehanna University women's lacrosse team upped its win streak to three on Tuesday afternoon, much in part to its play in the draw circle as it rolled past visiting Hood College 13-4 in a non-conference tilt from Sassafras Field. 

The River Hawks (3-1) doubled up the Blazers in the draw control category 14-7, while forcing 10 failed clears to dominate possession in the attacking end. In the opening 30 minutes, Susquehanna forced the Blazers into 13 turnovers which allowed the River Hawks to dictate the game on the offensive end. 

Susquehanna took an early lead just two minutes into the game, as Heather Riefenhauser found Caitlin Harvey on a cut from the left side and Harvey's shot beat Hood keeper Sophia Vilaca for the score. Vilaca would come up big though over the next 10 minutes of the game, making five saves to keep the Blazers down just one. The River Hawks doubled their lead though at 3:40, as Riefenhauser scored off a nice feed from Hannah McNamara to make it 2-0. 

Moments later, Harvey won the draw and senior Caroline Chase tallied her lone goal of the game to make it 3-0. SU kept the momentum going, taking advantage of being up a player, netting an woman-up goal at 2:29 thanks to a score from Riefenhauser at 2:29. 

The hosts continued the run of goals early on in the second quarter, tallying three times in a stretch of 2:17. First-year Liv Owen scored her fifth and sixth goals to book end the 3-0 spurt, sandwiching a tally by Harvey to make the score 7-0 with 12:19 to go in the first half. Hood would finally get on the board with just over a minute to go, as Jess Lyons netted her second goal of the year to make it 7-1 at halftime. 

After the break the River Hawks had another strong quarter, outscoring the Blazers 5-0 highlighted by three goals from McNamara to make it 12-1 heading into the fourth quarter. Kelsey Homberg would put a bow on the scoring for SU, as she netted her second of the day as Susquehanna cruised to the win. 

Despite scoring only once, Chase had another outstanding game after earning Landmark Conference Offensive Player of the Week Monday, leading the River Hawks with seven points with six assists. Riefenhauser added three goals and three assists, taking a team-high eight shots, while McNamara tied her career high with three goals. Harvey contributed three points, two ground balls and four draw controls, while Owen finished with three points on two scores and an assist. 

First-year Allie Kutler was solid on the circle, as she finished with a team-high seven draw controls. The SU defense was very good Tuesday, as sophomore Liz Hordesky posted four ground balls and three caused turnovers, while defensive teammate Katie Hoerman added four loose balls, two forced turnovers and a draw control. Fellow defender Madi Mitchell also caused three turnovers, adding two ground balls for SU. Emmy Regan followed her strong week that earned her Landmark Defensive Player of the Week with another outstanding game, posting 10 saves in the win. 

Susquehanna outshot the Blazers (1-1) 38-22 on the afternoon, winning the turnover battle 19-11. Lyons and Liz Connelly each scored twice for Hood,, while Vilaca finished with 15 saves in between the pipes Tuesday. 

Up Next

• Susquehanna stays at home for another non-conference contest Saturday, hosting McDaniel College at 1 p.m. on Sassafras Field. 

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--RIVER HAWKS--