SELINSGROVE, PA (September 6, 2023) – After starting their season with a dramatic late goal to secure a victory, the Susquehanna field hockey team fell victim to the same late-game drama in their first loss of the season on Wednesday night, losing 2-1 to Dickinson in a close-fought contest.
The squads were very closely matched, competing hard throughout and trading periods of offensive superiority. After a scoreless first quarter that saw the respective defenses locking down the opposition, both teams broke through in the second quarter. The River Hawks got on the board first, with Emma Campitelli latching on to a loose ball right on the edge of the circle and launching an inch-perfect bouncer into the bottom-right corner of the cage, just inside the post.
The SU lead would only last four minutes and ten seconds, as Dickinson responded with a well-executed penalty corner play that resulted in a deflection goal, putting the teams back on level terms. They would reach the halftime break still tied.
The third quarter would once again be scoreless, though this time it would have much more to do with the goalies, as the River Hawks had six shots in the period and forced four saves but were unable to reclaim the lead. The second half would also see Dickinson continue to apply pressure through penalty corners, with the Red Devils earning 10 of their 14 total penalty corners in the second half.
That would prove the difference, as Dickinson finally made good on one of those chances, scoring the winning goal with less than three minutes remaining in the game on another well-executed penalty corner. By that point, the River Hawks offense had slowed down, with them unable to work a chance for an equalizer in the limited time remaining.
In all, despite being on the wrong end of a 14-7 penalty corner gap, Susquehanna produced more shots, with 11 compared to Dickinson's eight, while eight of SU's 11 shots were on goal, with seven being saved.
SU won't have to wait long for a chance to get back in the win column, as they'll hit the road on Saturday to take on Swarthmore at 1 pm. The Garnet have started the season 0-2, but both losses came against ranked opponents and the team will still have lofty expectations for their season, presenting another good test for Susquehanna in their non-conference slate.
Facebook: susquehanna.riverhawks | Instagram: @gosusqu
Twitter: @GOsusqU | Hashtags: #AllIn, #GOSU, #RiverHawkPride
--RIVER HAWKS--
