SELINSGROVE, PA (August 31, 2022) – The Susuqehanna University Field Hockey Team continued their trend of successful seasons in 2021, earning the third seed in the Landmark Conference and a third consecutive playoff berth, having won the championship in 2018 and claiming runner-up in 2019 before the 2020 season was lost to the pandemic. The River Hawks went 16-4 overall and 5-2 in conference in 2021, before falling to Scranton 2-1 in the conference semifinals in a heartbreaking overtime thriller.

Head Coach Allison Fordyce, beginning her sixth year leading the program, was straightforward with her goals for the team this year. "We want to be playing in November no question. We loved last year, loved breaking into regional and national rankings, and we're really excited about the chance to continue going beyond competing in the conference alone. The conference is so competitive and provides great competition and opportunities for growth. With all our young players this year, it's a great chance for them to get high-level acclimation to collegiate field hockey."

That youth shows in full force on the River Hawks' roster, with eight first-year players on the list and all looking at opportunities to make an impact on the field straight away. And while that group could face some early battles with inexperience, they're bolstered by a great returning core of leaders at all class levels. It all starts with reigning Landmark Defensive Player of the Year and highly decorated player Annalee Smith, who returns for another season as a graduate student and embodies the role of defensive anchor and experienced leader for the team.

Also returning is sophomore defender Kari Schmidt, who earned All-Landmark Second Team honors as a first-year in 2021. She'll be poised to continue her growth on the field while also being able to help guide some of the new talent on the roster, having just been in the same position just last season.

Fordyce also spoke of the program's strengths in their culture. "Of course its cliché, but I truly believe our work ethic is something that stands as our greatest strength. Every player on our team plays hard for each other, we focus on playing the game in front of us. The team is in great shape, they're tenacious, attack every ball, and won't shy away from a challenge." The team's motto, "We Get To", which is emblazoned on their practice shirts this preseason, is truly emblematic of this mentality. "It starts from the back," says Fordyce. "We build from the back, the heart and experience of the team starts there and each level going forward, they all want to get to every ball."

Positional breakdown below:

Goalkeeper: Mackenzie Bross returns after starting 19 games in 2021. One of only four seniors on this year's roster, her playing experience will be particularly invaluable from her position in the cage. Having recorded 10 shutouts last season, she gives the strong defense a strong backstop to complement them. Sophomore Ashley Derrick will serve as strong depth and continue to learn from her elder counterpart, having gotten to see action in two games last season as a first-year.

Defense: Smith and Schmidt are joined in the backline by a good mix of youth and experience. Senior Abbey Reist, junior Erin Bell, and sophomore Alli Kiley are joined by first-years Riley Corbett and Katie Ketterman to provide defensive presence. They'll still look for the opportunity to nab a goal when they can though, with Smith having notched a remarkable career-high seven goals last season and Schmidt tallying three of her own.

Midfield: Seniors Jadyn Brezinski and Natalia Purchiaroni provide the experience to the midfield group, along with a talented group of juniors and sophomores, including Sarah McAndrews, Katie Bucher (juniors), Rebecca Ripans, Lexi Fumanti, Kate Ausmus, and Lydia Hidlay (sophomores). Ripans provides a strong goalscoring presence moving between midfield and attack, tying for second on the team with six goals and adding three assists. Bucher netted four goals and three assists in her debut collegiate season in 2021, while McAndrews had a goal and three assists, including one of each in Susquehanna's exciting 2-1 victory over Salisbury University in the Connie Harnum Classic, Salisbury having been ranked fifth in the country at the time. First-year midfielders Casey Bruchak and Isa Napoli will also look for opportunities to get some playing time this season.

Forward: A group highlighted by a couple experienced members, much of the attack this season will likely come from new contributors. The junior duo of Ashley Schreffler and Lauren Beck returns, along with sophomore Sophia Prata. Schreffler was the most prolific scorer or the returnees, having beaten the goalkeeper four times last season. Beyond those three, the attacking group all first-years with varying strengths, each looking to show energy and impact to separate themselves from roster competition and earn minutes on the field. Natalie Burleigh, Emma Campitelli, Reagan Heard, and Kaylee Mendez will have a great chance to carve out a role for themselves this year.

Coaching: Fordyce brought in some new additions to the staff for this season, with some varying levels of experience and positional expertise to help diversify the staff and be able to address each position group and player with multiple perspectives. Kirby Szalkowski and Ashtin Midkiff return as assistants and are joined by Alyssa Broadt and Allyson Heard. Broadt comes to SU after a successful playing career at Bloomsburg. Heard is a name that the team and SU fans will be highly familiar with, as she just graduated in the spring after a decorated career with SU Field Hockey and returns to help coach the team, including her younger sister Reagan, who joins the roster as a first-year.

The season begins for the River Hawks on Thursday, September 1, with a home matchup against Franklin and Marshall College, at 7:00 PM on Sassafras Multipurpose Field.

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--RIVER HAWKS--