By Mel Barracato, Staff Writer
Susquehanna women’s soccer defeated Goucher in a 1–0 conference match at home in Selinsgrove last Saturday, Sept. 30, with the lone goal happening in the 16th minute coming from senior forward Alyssa Bolger, her sixth of the year.
“Alyssa always seems to find the right place for her to score,” said head Coach Nick Hoover. “There’s been times where she kind of makes something out of nothing, or she happens to be the recipient of a great pass, or she makes a great individual effort.”
“There’s a lot that she’s done but overall the way she’s been able to find the back of the net has been very consistently dangerous for us this year,” Hoover continued.
Junior Emily Sullivan sent the ball up to Bolger who was able to find the back of the net with a high kick around the Goucher goalie.
“Emily is just a phenomenally skilled player,” Hoover said of the junior forward. “She’s got a ton of ability with the ball at her feet and has got- ten better and stronger every year that she’s been here… She’s always creating some- thing dangerous for our team which is crucial.”
Sullivan and Bolger led the offense throughout the entire game and contributed to the River Hawks’ nine shots to the Gophers’ three in the first half, and then again when both teams accounted for six shots in the second half.
“We probably had two or three really good scoring opportunities,” Hoover said. “Their goalie came up with some tremendous saves. This was the best Goucher team I had ever seen since I have been coaching here.”
Senior goalie Julia Tolin re- corded five saves in the win.
“Julia’s had an amazing year for us,” Hoover said. “She had one save late on a free kick they took was a tremendous save.” Tolin’s outstanding performance this season has helped the River Hawks improve to 10–1–1 as she has only allowed five goals against Susquehanna this season.
The River Hawks also played Penn College on Tuesday, where they picked up another 1 – 0 win to earn their tenth victory of the season.
This is the first season since 2004 that the women’s soccer team has double-digit wins in a single season.
Sullivan scored the lone goal for the River Hawks in the 59th minute off of a cross from senior midfielder Mairead Ruane.
Susquehanna will be back in action on Saturday, Oct. 7 at Scranton at 1 p.m.
