SELINSGROVE, PA (August 30, 2024) – Senior All-American Kari Schmidt hammered home a shot from the right wing off a penalty corner in the 48th minute, helping lift the Susquehanna University field hockey squad to a 2024 season-opening win over No. 18 Franklin & Marshall College Friday afternoon at Sassafras Field. 

The win for the River Hawks (1-0) was their second straight 1-0 victory over the ranked Diplomats (1-0) after dropping the first three games in the series dating back to 2011. In last year's 1-0 win in Lancaster the script was similar, as Schmidt scored with 48 seconds to play to give SU the victory. 

The win was SU's fourth win over a ranked opponent since the 2021 season. 

The first quarter saw the Diplomats have the better opportunities, getting two penalty corners in the middle part of the frame. Both shots by F&M were denied by the River Hawks, as the hosts used those stops to start to get their footing. 

In the second frame, SU's best chance came in the 20th minute as Alli Kiley had her shot off a penalty corner blocked before her rebound chance was saved by Diplomat keeper Meghan Dole. 

The River Hawks continued to pressure in the 22nd minute as a flurry in front saw two shots saved by Dole. F&M responded with a charge of its own, and Kylie Schmidt was called upon to make a save in the 24th minute off an attempt by F&M's Grace Fass. That was the final scoring chance of the first half, as F&M took a slight 6-5 edge in shots. 

The third quarter was played mostly in the midfield with only two total shots, both for the River Hawks. The best scoring chance of the frame was in the 45th minute, as Kiley had her chance denied by Dole off a shot close on a penalty corner. 

The breakthrough would come early on in the fourth quarter, as SU picked up a penalty corner 1:55 into the period. On the goal, Schmidt took the insert and hammered a shot inside the left, nearside post for the game's lone score. 

F&M had its best chance to tie the game in the 55th minute, as a shot close in was blocked resulting in a corner. Sarah Weitzman had a good look off the corner, but the SU defensive unit blocked the attempt with less than five minutes to play. That was the final attempt of the game for the visitors, as Susquehanna held on for their second straight season-opening win and eighth victory in its last 10 campaign starters. 

Susquehanna held a 12-8 edge in shots for the contest, including an 8-2 edge in shots on goal. Ashley Derrick got the win in goal, but starter Kylie Schmidt shared the shutout as she stopped two shots on cage. Kari Schmidt led the team with four shots (3 shots on goal), while Kiley had three shots and Mady Quigley also had two shots. 

F&M was led by Fass and Jessica Miller with their two shot attempts. 

SU will have eight days off before taking on No. 21 Swarthmore College Saturday, September 7 on Sassafras Field in more non-conference action.