SELINSGROVE, PA (October 21, 2023) – On Homecoming Weekend, Susquehanna field hockey marked the occasion with a monumental matchup for their regular season home finale, facing off against Scranton in a duel for sole possession of first place in the Landmark, with both teams having entered the day at 7-0. In a tightly contested battle of strong defenses, it was the River Hawks who won out, improving to 8-0 in conference play with a 2-0 shutout victory over the visiting Royals.
Scranton entered the day having allowed just nine goals in 15 games, an even better number than Susquehanna's impressive 17 goals in 16 games. But it would be the River Hawks' defense that proved more effective of the two on Saturday afternoon, as they held the Royals to just four shots and none on goal. Meanwhile on offense, SU would have to exercise great patience in working their own offensive opportunities, getting just seven shots in the game, but the difference being four of them coming on goal. Specifically, two which came on penalty strokes earned by the River Hawks. After going most of the season with just two penalty strokes as a team and converting neither, SU matched that total in a single game and made good on both chances, with Kari Schmidt taking on the responsibility both times and making no mistake, scoring her sixth and seventh goals of the season to take the team lead in goals.
The first would come late in the second quarter, with just over two minutes remaining before the halftime break. That breakthrough would be only the third shot of the game, with both teams going shotless in the first quarter and one each in the second prior to the goal.
The second goal would once again come late in a quarter, this one with 2:40 remaining in the third quarter, doubling Susquehanna's advantage prior to heading to the fourth quarter.
Discipline proved a key factor in helping Susquehanna to defend against Scranton, with a typically potent offense stifled by fouls and the two penalty strokes undoing the Royals' defense. Scranton would commit 60 fouls to only 43 for SU, as well as racking up four cards, two green and two yellow. Susquehanna also took a 6-3 advantage in the penalty corner category, a stat which they've dominated over their opponents throughout the season, averaging nearly 10 per game.
Susquehanna's final game of the regular season will take them on the road and once again have major postseason implications, as they'll visit Catholic, who currently sit third in the Landmark and at 7-1 in conference play, still within reach of those top two spots that carry a first-round bye. That game will take place on Wednesday, October 25 at 6 pm.
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--RIVER HAWKS--
