SELINSGROVE, PA (November 1, 2023) – Hosting a Landmark Semifinal for the second-straight season, Susquehanna field hockey improved on their finish in 2022, this time taking a victory and booking a spot in the Landmark Conference Championship for the first time since 2018, when they won their only Landmark title. A controlled performance from the River Hawks saw them claim a 3-2 win over fourth-seeded Moravian on Wednesday night, earning them a chance to face off with #3 seed Scranton at home on Saturday afternoon.
The visitors came out strong in the first quarter, tallying three shots while holding SU without one in the opening period, along with racking up six penalty corners. However, they were unable to make that pressure pay, with only one shot on goal in the quarter, which Ashley Derrick would save in the SU goal. After a scoreless first frame, SU came alive in the second quarter, reversing the tide with three shots of their own while holding Moravian to none. The difference came in the finishing, as all three of their shots were on goal and the first one of the night would find the back of the cage. Lydia Hidlay would drive a ball through the circle, with her pass flashing across the front of the goal and finding the stick of Katie Bucher at the back post, who poked home for her sixth goal of the campaign.
After seeing the 1-0 scoreline to the halftime break, SU would double their advantage halfway through the third quarter, with a brilliant piece of pressing from senior forward Sarah McAndrews creating the opportunity. She would jump on an attempted pass across the Moravian back line and make no mistake in a one-on-one with the goalie, firing a shot into the bottom left corner of the goal.
The Greyhounds would not go quietly though, answering with their first goal of the game just over a minute later after being awarded a penalty stroke following a scrum for loose ball in front of the SU goal.
Seeing their lead cut in half, Susquehanna went back on the offensive in the fourth quarter, restoring their two-goal advantage with just over six minutes to go in the game, as Lydia Hidlay scored her first goal of the season at a crucial time, taking control of a save that rebounded in front of the goal and beating the goalkeeper. The junior's three-point performance proved critical for the River Hawks, as Moravian would score once again, tallying their second goal of the night with just under three minutes left in the game. Hidlay's goal proved to be the game-winner and clinched Susquehanna's spot in the championship, as they clamped down in the final minutes and prevented an equalizer from Moravian.
The River Hawks were clinical in the attack, finishing with nine shots and eight on goal. Derrick earned her 13th win of the season with two saves in the game.
SU will take to Sassafras Field on Saturday afternoon for a rematch with Scranton and a title on the line. Susquehanna got the better of the Royals in their regular season matchup, as the River Hawks got a 2-0 victory on the shoulders of a two-goal performance from Kari Schmidt. The championship will begin at 2 pm on Saturday, November 4.
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--RIVER HAWKS--
