SELINSGROVE, PA - After going 9-0 in the Landmark Conference for the first unbeaten Landmark Conference season in program history, Susquehanna field hockey sets its eyes on going back-to-back after a 2023 championship, won in dramatic fashion via shootout over Scranton. With their perfect 9-0 record, they clinched the first seed and a first-round bye to the semi-finals, where they will face Moravian, who overcame Juniata after a shootout. On the opposite side of the bracket, second-seeded Catholic takes on third-seeded Scranton, who beat #6 Drew 5-2 on their way to a meeting with the Cardinals.
Allison Fordyce and her team are the reigning Landmark Conference champions, having won twice before, with the other coming in 2018. With the first seed, they would host the championship pending a win over Moravian on Wednesday, November 6th, while the championship would be held on Saturday, November 9th. Susquehanna's match with Moravian earlier this season ended 4-1, with
Sophia Prata scoring two goals on that day as the River Hawks claimed their fourth successive victory over the Greyhounds.
Ashley Derrick has been the main choice in goal this season as a senior, having won Landmark Conference Tournament MVP honors in 2023 after her four shootout saves. She started seven of the River Hawks' nine Landmark games, making 23 saves while conceding just four goals.
Taytum Lombardi has also started five games this season in cage, posting a GAA of 0.94 from 26 saves and 5 goals against in seven total appearances.
The River Hawks' defense has shined brightly this season, with
Hannah Garlin, last year's Landmark Rookie of the Year, flanked on either side by seniors
Kari Schmidt and
Lydia Hidlay. Schmidt leads the team in goals, points, and shots, while Hidlay's 10 assists rank second in the conference. Also available in defense is
Lexi Kresge, who started several games in the middle portion of the season, including three conference games.
The midfield is anchored by senior
Alli Kiley, who is joined most frequently by
Riley Corbett,
Emma Campitelli, and first-year
Mady Quigley. Quigley has made an immediate impact, starting 17 of 18 games while ranking third on the team in goals and assists, and fourth in points. Campitelli is not far behind, having notched three goals and two assists, and Corbett, Kiley, and
Gracie Roush have an assist each from midfield.
The forward line is very deep, with Prata headlining the group with eight goals, all coming in Landmark play.
Ashley Schreffler scored twice against Catholic to bring her season total to five, and she was teed up on her second by first-year
Kiara Koeller, whose two goals and two assists are second to Quigley among River Hawk first-years.
Taylor Rothermel has started 14 games on the year, and has a crucial Landmark tournament goal on her record from a year ago, scoring a late equalizer to send the championship game to overtime. She has contributed this season with goals against Washington and Haverford, while also providing three assists. Seniors
Rebecca Ripans and
Lexi Fumanti, as well as sophomore
Lauren Leibensperger, have each scored twice to round out the forward line.
With last year's success comes a target on the backs of the River Hawks, but they have the chance to host a tournament final for the second time in the Landmark Conference, having hosted the championship last year as well. Should they emerge from the Moravian match, they would await the victor of Scranton's visit to Catholic.
