By Abbie Steinly Staff writer
The Susquehanna women’s soccer team improved to 3-1 on the season as the River Hawks shut out Penn State- Harrisburg 1-0 on the road on Sept. 10.
The goal for the River Hawks was scored by junior defender Cassandra Coombs less than six minutes into the game.
Junior forward Alyssa Bolger led all River Hawks with four shots on goal. She also assisted on Coombs’ goal.
Susquehanna kicked off the season with two wins at home against Lycoming and Albright. The team then traveled to Misericordia and lost 2-0 before traveling to Penn State- Harrisburg and returning home with the victory.
The River Hawks battled a tough and aggressive team, which they prepared for going into the game.
“We were concerned about playing against a physical team and adjusting to their level of aggressive play,” Coach Nick Hoover said.
Despite the Lions’ physicality, the River Hawks were able to outshoot the Lions 15-5.
In her first start of the year, Susquehanna junior goalie Jennifer Thorsheim saved the two shots on goal that Penn State-Harrisburg attempted.
The River Hawks came out strong with five shot attempts in the first half, but Penn State-Harrisburg freshman goalkeeper Erica Jensen, saved four of them.
Despite their strong passing and defense, the River Hawks “lacked vision in crucial moments and failed to finish three clear scoring attempts,” according to Hoover.
The Lions’ game plan was to come in physical to try and tire out the opposition, and it showed in their 13 fouls throughout the game, which included two yellow cards, on junior defender Eliza Grim and freshman defender Madison Hemler.
“They were very physical and sometimes it got to us. We struggled with not sinking to their level. We just tried concentrating on playing the game that we were used to,” Susquehanna sophomore forward Emily Sullivan said.
In the second half of the game Susquehanna outshot Penn State-Harrisburg 10-3. Shots were taken by seven different River Hawks in the second half.
Penn State-Harrisburg freshman goalkeeper Daniella Marroquin was able to save three of the shots on goal in her 20 minutes of play. Junior Kayla Arnold relieved Marroquin in the net and picked up two saves.
The River Hawks return home this weekend to play against the Shenandoah Hornets on Saturday, Sept. 17 at 4 p.m. The Hornets are 4-1 on the season.
Susquehanna plans to continue working toward its goal of making conference playoffs, which was set on their first day of preseason according to Sullivan.
On Wednesday, Sept. 15, the soccer team tallied another win to bolster their record to 4-1, this time defeating the Monarchs of King’s College.
Susquehanna has not lost to King’s College since 2013. The River Hawks defeated them last year and tied with them the year before.
It was a defensive battle for most of the game, both teams remaining scoreless until Sullivan beat the King’s keeper to the right post to score the game-winning goal with 1:22 remaining in the game.
Junior midfielder Mairead Ruane was credited with the assist.
It was Sullivan’s first goal of the young season and it could not have come at a better time.
Susquehanna’s offense came out firing, taking seven shots on goal in the first half and adding eleven more shots in the second half.
Bolger led the team in shots with five, and fellow junior junior midfielder Chloe Eisenhuth tallied three shots along with Sullivan.
King’s offense was another story, as the Monarchs were shut down by a strong River Hawk’s defense for the entire 90-minute game.
The Monarchs took one shot during the contest, making for a slow night for senior goalkeeper Jordyn Slocum. She did not need to make a single save as the shot was not on goal.
On the other end Jess Schenfield saved three shots on the evening.
The 4-1 River Hawks are out to their best start since the 2007-08 campaign when Susquehanna started 5-1.
