By Akshay Kriplani Staff writer
The Susquehanna River Hawks went on the road to face the Elizabethtown Blue Jays on Oct. 22, falling 6-4 despite a second-half comeback bid. The Blue Jays’ win ended the River Hawks’ eight-game win streak.
The loss was only the third loss of the season for the River Hawks; they now stand at 13-3 on the season and 4-2 in the Landmark Conference. The Blue Jays improved to 10-6 overall and 6-0 in the Landmark Conference.
With the loss, the River Hawks hold the third spot in the ranking behind Elizabethtown and Catholic. Susquehanna currently holds a one-game edge on the fourth place Juniata Eagles.
Susquehanna will be travelling to Catholic on November 2 for a 7 p.m. semi-final game, while Juniata goes to Elizabethtown to take on the Blue Jays.
In the first half Elizabethtown jumped out to a 4-1 lead. Freshman forward Mini Kilofo put in the only goal in the first half for the River Hawks.
Susquehanna outscored the Blue Jays in the second half 3-2, but time expired, and Elizabethtown picked up the win.
The changing moment of the game came 8:07 into the action when the score stood at 1-1. Elizabethtown senior forward Allison McLamb scored an unassisted goal to put her team ahead 2-1.
That was the start of a 3-0 run by the Blue Jays that gave them the 4-1 halftime lead.
Susquehanna opened the second half with a goal from freshman forward Heather Pitman with 1:15 expired in the period. Elizabethtown countered with a goal to take a 5-2 lead before Pitman and senior forward Emily Novakovich scored back-to-back goals with Novakovich’s goal at the 53:16 mark making it a one-goal game at 5-4.
With less than three minutes to play, Elizabethtown senior forward Kelsey Detweiler scored an insurance goal, which turned out to be the final blow to Susquehanna. A River Hawks’ penalty corner with 1:33 to play marked the final scoring chance for Susquehanna, but nothing came from the opportunity and Elizabethtown held on for the win.
Pitman led the River Hawks with two goals on five shots. Novakovich added one goal and one assist.
Elizabethtown held a narrow 14-12 edge in shots, but Susquehanna finished with nine penalty corners to the Blue Jays’ eight.
Susquehanna starting goalkeeper freshman Emily DiGaetano made five saves in her 35 minutes of action. Junior Morgan Ludlum played the second half in goal for the River Hawks.
The River Hawks return home to host conference opponent Moravian on Oct. 29 at 1 p.m. The team will honor its six seniors prior to the start of the game, including its captains, Novakovich and defender Tessa Woodring.
The game is the final contest of the regular season for the River Hawks.
