YORK, PA (September 20, 2022) – After falling in overtime to Gettysburg on the 17th, Susquehanna Field Hockey got back on track on Tuesday evening with a huge road victory over 17th-ranked York College (PA). Despite being outshot, particularly early in the match, the River Hawks were clinical on offense and after falling behind 1-0 in the first half, produced a goal in the third and fourth period to take the win over the Spartans.
The momentum swung to York in the early goings, as they had two shots in the first period compared to none for SU. And the very first of those shots would find the back of the cage and put the first marker on the board, as York attacker Kat Knox cut to the middle and fired home into the bottom left corner. Their second shot came from a chance off a penalty corner, but Susquehanna goalie Mackenzie Bross came up with a save to keep the gap at one.
Period two saw SU produce their first shot, coming from Katie Bucher on a penalty corner play, but her shot would be blocked before it could reach the goal. York continued to threaten to score a second goal, forcing three saves from Bross on all three of the Spartans' shots in the second period. She and the River Hawk defense held firm to keep the score at 1-0 into halftime.
The second half saw the River Hawks come to life, producing more opportunities on the offensive end and making them pay effectively. After forcing a penalty corner in the 42nd minute, York committed another foul and a penalty stroke was granted to Susquehanna, which Annalee Smith finished with aplomb, her fifth goal of the season.
Now tied entering the final period, SU would again find the scoreboard late in the quarter, this time being the game winner. After some back-and-forth chances for each team, Susquehanna's fundamentally sound play proved crucial. York racked up 33 fouls in the game while SU had only 19, and that advantage brought the River Hawks a penalty corner chance in the waning minutes of regulation. After the initial insertion by Ashley Schreffler, Kari Schmidt got off a shot but was blocked. The ball stayed in the offensive zone and the goal came through Sarah McAndrews, who jumped on a rebound from a Schmidt deflection and buried it to send the SU sideline into raptures.
With Susquehanna's record now improved to 4-3 after the upset victory, they'll have strong momentum to carry into their Landmark Conference opener, as they travel to face Elizabethtown College on September 24 at 1 pm.
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--RIVER HAWKS--
