By Rachael Cataldo, Staff Writer
The Susquehanna Women’s Soccer Team (6-0-1) posted a 2–1 victory over the Westminster College Titans (3–2) on Sunday at Sassafras Field in Selinsgrove to keep their undefeated season alive.
The River Hawks have had one of the best starts of the season throughout the school’s history, the team said.
“My freshman year, the idea of being undefeated this far into the season was not even a thought, we just were not the team we are today,” senior Alyssa Bolger said. “The best part of being undefeated for my senior year is seeing the progress that this team has made in the past four years, and how much our hard work has really been paying off. I love this team, and am very happy I get to be a part of it.”
Bolger scored the lone goal of the first half with an assist from senior Grace Juckes after almost eight minutes into the game to give the River Hawks an early lead.
“Grace played the perfect ball and I was able to put it away which is always a great feeling,” Bolger said.
Kate Cantrell, a junior River Hawk, scored a goal assisted by senior Chloe Eisenhuth just two minutes into the second half to give the River Hawks a 2–0 edge.
“Being able to score so early on in the second half gave us an advantage mentally, by being able to be more confident in our playing, but also physically by showing we were the stronger team,” Cantrell said.
Westminster scored its lone goal with less than two minutes to go in the contest.
Susquehanna had an impressive advantage in shots 14–5, including 8–3 in the second half alone. Four of those shots were made by senior River Hawk Mairead Ruane.
Susquehanna senior goalie Julia Tolin had just one save in the game, testament to just how much the River Hawks defense kept Westminster away from the Susquehanna end of the field.
Head coach Nick Hoover said the team’s performance highlighted its “resiliency” and “toughness” both “physically and mentally.”
Hoover said, “We’re thrilled with the start [of the season] but by no means satisfied. We need to continue to get better and improve every game.”
“This was a great win for us,” Cantrell said.
She also said she thinks that the win will be a “huge motivation” for the team to secure a few more wins in its upcoming games.
Susquehanna also took home another win on Wednesday when they beat previously unbeaten Wilkes 1-0.
Bolger scored the only goal for the River Hawks just five minutes into the game off of an assist from Cantrell.
Both teams had six shots total but Susquehanna put four of those on goal compared to Wilkes’ one.
Tolin led Susquehanna in saves on the day with one. Freshman Mady Burns led the team in shots with two.
The River Hawks will be back in Landmark Conference competition Saturday Sept. 23 at Catholic.
The Cardinals currently sit with a strong 6-1 record and ride a five-game win streak into the game with the River Hawks.
The last game in that five-game win streak came off of a 3-2 golden-goal victory against Frostburg State.
Both teams had one goal apiece in each half, sending the game into overtime.
Jillian Sudo knocked in the game winner for the Cardinals at the 5:35 mark in overtime to give Catholic the 3-2 win. Maggie Moorcones had the assist on the game-winning goal. Elizabeth Johnson is the top goal scorer for Catholic with six goals this season and has 24 shots this season.
Catholic has been less successful on the road this season than at the friendly confines of home. They have allowed six goals in three games, while in the three games at home they have yet to allow a single goal. Strangely though, they have double the goal total while on the road with 12 compared to the six at home.
This will be one of the toughest tests for the River Hawks in conference play this season, as Catholic sits third in overall record this season behind Moravian (6-0-1) and Susquehanna (7-0-1).
The River Hawks also are currently ranked seventh in the United Soccer Coaches Mid- Atlantic Regional Poll thanks to their strong start. The Cardinals currently sit right behind them at eighth.
Game time for the Catholic game is at 12:30 p.m.
