SELINSGROVE, PA (September 1, 2022) -- Visiting Franklin & Marshall College scored three times in an 11-minute span during the third quarter, rallying past the Susquehanna University field hockey squad for a 4-2 win in the season opener for both teams in action from Sassafras Field Thursday evening. 

The River Hawks (0-1) hopped out on top early in the first quarter, executing a penalty corner to perfection as Katie Bucher smashed home an insert from Rebecca Ripans for the first goal of the 2022 season. F&M responded just over four minutes later as Jessica Miller backhanded a shot over a sprawling Mackenzie Bross for the equalizer at 5:38 of the contest. 

The Diplomats continued to put pressure on the River Hawks in the first quarter, posting five penalty corners over the remainder of the opening period but Bross and the defensive squad for SU held strong. In the second quarter, SU regained its lead 2:03 into the stanza as Annalee Smith shoveled in a pass from Ripans on the right post to make it 2-1. Bross would star over the last 13 minutes of the half, making five stops to send the game to halftime with the River Hawks up 2-1. 

After the break, F&M (1-0) took advantage of a penalty corner and Carolina Riley scored on a deflection of a Sophie Carroll shot to knot the game at two goals apiece 2:17 into the second half. Five minutes later, the Diplomats took their first lead of the game at 3-2 as Faith DiMantova scored on a tip from Riley to make it 3-2 at the 37:11 mark. 

Another deflection goal made the score 4-2 in favor of the visitors, as Molly Paulsen tallied the fourth and final goal of the game for F&M at 43:10. The River Hawks had a few chances in the fourth quarter, but couldn't beat reserve keeper Jorja Pastore as Franklin & Marshall held on for the victory. 

Bucher finished with a team-high four shots, including three on target, while Ripans set up both tallies for the hosts. Bross finished with 10 saves in cage for the RIver Hawks, as SU was outshot on the evening 20-9 including a 15-5 edge for the Diplomats in shots on goal. F&M held an 18-8 edge in penalty corners as well. 

Up Next

• The River Hawks will have a quick turnaround, hosting Swarthmore College Sunday at noon on Sassafras Field in non-conference action. 

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--RIVER HAWKS--