WASHINGTON, D.C. – Susquehanna field hockey is headed back to the Landmark Conference Championship for the fourth consecutive season after earning a dramatic 3-2 double-overtime victory over Catholic University in Tuesday night's semifinal at Cardinal Stadium.
The River Hawks jumped out to a two-goal advantage and appeared poised to advance in regulation before Catholic mounted a fourth-quarter comeback with a pair of goals to force overtime. After a scoreless first overtime period, Susquehanna found the breakthrough in the second extra period as
Hannah Garlin delivered the game-winning goal at 72:25 to send the River Hawks into Saturday's championship game.
How It Went Down
- Susquehanna wasted no time establishing its presence, striking just 1:19 into the opening quarter. Jada Thompson put the River Hawks on the board with her 10th goal of the season, finishing a scoring opportunity created by Kiara Koeller to give Susquehanna an early 1-0 advantage.
- The River Hawks continued to capitalize on their opportunities in the second quarter. At 18:29, Thompson turned provider, setting up Koeller for her sixth goal of the season to double the Susquehanna lead. With a 2-0 advantage, the River Hawks carried their momentum into halftime.
- Both defenses tightened up in the third quarter, with neither team able to find the back of the cage. Susquehanna entered the final 15 minutes holding its two-goal cushion, but the Cardinals refused to go away.
- Catholic broke through at 49:49, cutting the deficit to 2-1 and shifting the momentum in the closing minutes. The Cardinals continued to pressure the River Hawks and found the equalizer at 56:53, with Tess Hake scoring off an assist from Lauren Keast to knot the contest at 2-2.
- With the game suddenly even, the two teams headed to overtime. Susquehanna and Catholic traded opportunities throughout the first extra period, but neither side could produce the decisive goal, sending the semifinal into double overtime.
- The River Hawks finally found their moment at 72:25. A penalty corner set up a contested series of shots from the River Hawks' front line. Isabel Goncalves batted one towards the cage, which went to Garlin's stick, who finished the opportunity for her first goal of the season and the biggest goal of the night. Garlin's double-overtime winner secured the 3-2 victory and punched Susquehanna's ticket to its fourth consecutive Landmark Conference Championship game.
Inside the Box Score
- Jada Thompson paced the River Hawks offensively with four shots on goal, finishing with one goal and one assist. Her opening goal was her 10th of the season.
- Kiara Koeller contributed a goal and an assist, scoring Susquehanna's second goal and assisting on Thompson's early strike.
- Hannah Garlin delivered the decisive moment, scoring her first goal of the season in the 73rd minute to send Susquehanna to the championship.
- Isabel Goncalves recorded the assist on Garlin's game-winner.
- Taytum Lombardi came up with 11 saves in goal, turning away numerous Catholic opportunities throughout the contest.
- Catholic held a 21-7 advantage in total shots and earned 16 penalty corners compared to three for Susquehanna. Despite the pressure, the River Hawks made their opportunities count and came away with the semifinal victory.
Up Next for the River Hawks
- Susquehanna advances to the Landmark Conference Championship for the fourth straight season and will travel to Scranton on Saturday to face the Royals for the conference title. The game time is still to be determined.
- This marks the fourth straight year the River Hawks meet the Royals in the championship game. Susquehanna took the first two matchups in Selinsgrove in 2023 and 2024 before Scranton won it on its home turf in 2025.
