By Andrew Snyder, Staff writer
Susquehanna posted their second-consecutive victory with an 18-3 win against rival Juniata College on Wednesday, April 18.
The River Hawks impressive performance was led by freshman midfielder Ali Heimer and sophomore attacker Stephanie Dowling. Both players scored four goals against the Eagles. Senior attacker Caroline Rabieki also tallied three goals to contribute to the scoring effort.
Susquehanna dominated the contest from the beginning, going up 3-0 just five minutes into the game thanks to two early goals from Dowling.
Juniata finally responded with a goal at the 25-minute mark, but the River Hawks defense prevented Juniata from tallying again in the first half.
Susquehanna scored 10-unanswered goals going into halftime, making the score 13- 1. The scoring outburst was led by Rabieki and Heimer, who poured in two goals each down the scoring stretch.
Junior attacker Helena Woytovich would also add two goals for the River Hawks in the first half, one of which coming on a free-position shot.
Senior defender Anna Trapane and freshman midfielder Nikki Hauck would socre the other two goals for Susquehanna in the first half.
The second half would prove to be no better for Juniata, and they could all but watch as Susquehanna continued to pour it on until the final whistle. The River Hawks scored five more unanswered goals before Juniata was able to finally put another goal on the board to stop the run.
Junior attacker Brooke Klair scored the first goal of the half just six minutes in to start the run for the River Hawks. Klair also added two assists on the day, both in the first half.
Dowling would then add her fourth and final goal on an assist from junior attacker Kaitlin Homberg.
Heimer would then add her final two goals of the game to give her the hat trick and then another just seven minutes later.
Woytovich would add the final goal of the game for Susquehanna on a free-position shot. Juniata would score their two goals at the end of the second half. It would be nothing more than garbagetime points for the Eagles.
Susquehanna’s defense had four saves in the win.
The River Hawk offense were effective in their shotplacement as they put 18 of their 33 shots on goal.
The victory brings Susquehanna to 4-6 on the season and 2-3 in the Landmark, while Juniata falls to 3-10 and remain winless in conference play.
The River Hawks take the field again on Saturday, April 21 against Scranton at 1 p.m. It will also be Senior Day for the River Hawks. Four seniors: Senior midfielder Brooke Burnett, senior defender Una Heinzerling, Rabiecki and Trapane will be honored before the game.
The Royals currently sit at 8-6 on the season and only have one loss in conference play: an 18-15 loss to number 22-ranked Catholic.
Scranton will come into the contest with Susquehanna off of two-straight wins over conference foes Elizabethtown and Drew. Elena Gallo leads the team in goals on the season with 46. She also has four assists.
The Blue Jays beat the River Hawks 19-11 during their meeting on March 24 at Elizabethtown. Susquehanna has yet to play Drew this season.