BALTIMORE, Md. — The Susquehanna University field hockey team secured its place in the Landmark Conference Tournament with a 2-0 shutout victory over Goucher College Tuesday evening at Beldon Field. The River Hawks scored twice in the second half to close out the regular season with momentum and clinch a postseason berth.
Susquehanna improved to 7-12 overall and 5-4 in Landmark Conference play with the victory, earning the sixth seed for the conference playoffs. The River Hawks will now turn their attention to the Landmark Conference Tournament, where they will face Wilkes University in the first round on Saturday, October 31, at 1 p.m.
How It Went Down
- The River Hawks and Gophers battled through a scoreless first half, with both teams creating opportunities but neither able to find the back of the cage. Susquehanna generated four shots in the opening quarter and added two more in the second, while the defense worked to keep Goucher off the scoreboard.
- Susquehanna's offensive pressure was evident early, earning three penalty corners in the first quarter alone. Jada Thompson and Kiara Koeller each tested Goucher goalkeeper Katie Bloom, while Lexi Kresge also put a shot on target. At the other end, goalkeeper Taytum Lombardi made key saves to preserve the deadlock, and the River Hawks' defensive unit limited Goucher to one shot in the second quarter.
- The breakthrough finally came just over a minute into the second half. At the 31:13 mark, Thompson found the back of the cage to give Susquehanna a 1-0 advantage. The goal energized the River Hawks as they looked to build on their lead and take control of the contest.
- Goucher responded with increased pressure in the third quarter, recording eight shots and earning four penalty corners. However, Susquehanna's defense stood firm, with Lombardi making three saves during the period to maintain the one-goal advantage heading into the final 15 minutes.
- The River Hawks added an insurance goal early in the fourth quarter. At 47:48, Thompson set up Koeller for the finish, extending Susquehanna's lead to 2-0. The goal gave the River Hawks some breathing room as they worked to close out the shutout.
- Susquehanna continued to generate offensive opportunities in the final quarter, recording seven shots and earning six penalty corners. The River Hawks' defensive effort remained strong down the stretch, and goalkeeper Kylie Schmidt entered in relief of Lombardi to help preserve the clean sheet.
- The final whistle confirmed the 2-0 victory, sending Susquehanna into the postseason after a strong finish to its regular season.
Inside the Box Score
- Jada Thompson led the River Hawks with a goal and an assist, opening the scoring in the third quarter before assisting Koeller's insurance goal in the fourth.
- Kiara Koeller scored Susquehanna's second goal, finishing Thompson's pass at the 47:48 mark. Koeller finished with four shots, including three on goal.
- Thompson recorded a game-high nine shots, putting six on target while contributing to both goals.
- Lexi Kresge and Haley Dreisbach each recorded a shot on goal, helping Susquehanna finish with 16 total shots and 11 shots on target.
- Taytum Lombardi made six saves across 52:40 in goal, while Kylie Schmidt added one save in 7:20 of relief. Together, the goalkeepers recorded seven saves in the shutout.
- Susquehanna earned 11 penalty corners compared to Goucher's seven, including six in the fourth quarter as the River Hawks continued to apply offensive pressure.
- The River Hawks held Goucher scoreless throughout all four quarters to secure their seventh victory of the season and fifth Landmark Conference win.
Up Next for the River Hawks
- The River Hawks are postseason bound! Susquehanna clinched a spot in the Landmark Conference Tournament with Tuesday's shutout victory and will face Wilkes University in the first round on Saturday, October 31, at 1 p.m.
- The two met earlier this fall at Susquehanna, where the Colonels claimed a 2-0 victory on their way to locking up the three seed in the Landmark Tournament.
- The other first-round game Saturday pits fourth-seed Elizabethtown against fifth-seed Drew. First-seed Scranton and second-seed Catholic earned first-round byes, with the winner of Elizabethtown/Drew playing Scranton next Tuesday, while the Susquehanna/Wilkes winner takes Catholic.
