SELINSGROVE, PA – Susquehanna University women's lacrosse used the wet, cold backdrop of Sassafras Field to their advantage Saturday versus McDaniel, running off the first six goals of the game and limiting their guests to just two second-half goals to instill some fright into the Green Terror and take a 17-9 victory. The win gives the River Hawks their first home win of the season to even their record to 2-2, with a quick turnaround as they prepare to face Alvernia on Monday in a makeup of a game originally scheduled for Feb. 17.
Allie Kutler and
Abby Andrus accounted each for two of the River Hawks' first six goals, with Andrus adding one more score later on for a hat trick. Susquehanna built its lead to 8-2 halfway through the second quarter before McDaniel threatened with a swift 4-1 run that got them to within three at 9-6 with 3:39 left in the half. After coach
Randall Swope called a timeout the River Hawks regained their focus and their six-goal lead with three straight scores from
Emma Kelleher,
Kelsey Homberg, and
Liv Owen as the halftime score read 12-7 in SU's favor.
The work of
Aerin O'Brien in goal helped put a stop to any more McDaniel threats as the Green Terror were held to two goals all second half, both coming in the third and never coming any closer than four goals of the Maroon and Orange Terror's lead. The second half also offered the chance for Owen, Andrus, Kelleher and
Heather Riefenhauser to add to their goal totals, with Kelleher finishing with a game-high five points on three goals and two assists.
Riefenhauser had one goal and three assists for a four-point day, along with Owen, Kutler, and
Hannah McNamara contributing three points on two goals and one assist. Homberg netted two goals, while first-year
Jessica Russo launched her first goal and assist of her career in a two-point day. Harvey had one goal, while
Abbey Alex contributed one assist.
O'Brien posted ten saves on the day to improve to 2-2 on the season, including six in the second half. The River Hawks held an 18-12 lead on draw controls, while scoring on one of their three free position opportunities and on one woman-up chance out of the three cards McDaniel was issued. They outshot the Green Terror 36-26, including 26-19 in shots on goal, and were successful on 21-of-23 clears.
