Photo by Victoria Durgin
By Abby Condon, Staff Writer
With 13 returning upperclassmen, the Susquehanna women’s lacrosse team opened up their 2020 spring campaign with a hotly contested 12-13 loss in non-conference play.
Picked to finish sixth in the Landmark Conference preseason poll, Susquehanna came out striking early in the game leading 4-1 as River Hawk attacker Stephanie Dowling put the team on the board.
SU took that momentum with Gabi Toohey scoring three goals all within the first half to lead 6-2 with assistance from teammate Katie Hoerman netting a goal at the 23:15 mark before the Bulldogs answered back with a torrid run to take the lead into the halftime locker room 7-6.
In the second half, Susquehanna scored two goals immediately from the play of River Hawk Nicole Hauck and sophomore attacker Caroline Chase connecting at the net. The game eventually ended up tied 11-11 when DeSales sophomore Amanda Schultz threw in two goals to notch the Bulldogs a 13-12 win with 6:44 left in the fourth quarter.
Led by Susquehanna veteran goalie, All-Landmark senior captain Libby Dex made a season-high 20 saves with 13 of those saves in the first half of the game.
Dex’s play in the cage sets the basis for the play of the six women in front of her as the defenders are confident that she will make the save.
River Hawk Gabi Toohey scored six goals along with Junior Stephanie Dowling tallying three goals and one assist, and SU sophomore attacker Caroline Chase adding one goal and six assists, a career-best.
Sophomore Nicole Hauck tallied one goal to add to the team’s total of 11. SU Senior defenders Caroline Ray and Mel Barracato were responsible for causing two DeSales turnovers, with Susquehanna keeping their turnovers at a minimum of 20 vs DeSales 26.
Midfielder Tori Lombardi collected six ground balls, her career-best. The Hoerman sisters, Senior captain Christine Hoerman and Katie Hoerman, accounted for 81% of the team’s draw controls.
Susquehanna allowed the Bulldogs to score on an average of 42% of their possessions, and the Riverhawks shot 35% with their opponents outshooting SU 42-35 playing with energy and intensity.
“Our team goals this year are to win games and compete with every team we play. We’ve been working hard in practice and figuring out what works best in our play, so we’re really excited to be able to execute that this season and be successful as a team,” senior Mel Barracato said.
With plenty of games ahead leading up to Landmark Conference play, the River Hawks head into their second game of the season with an overall record of 0-1. They will next host King’s College Saturday, February 29 at noon on Sassafras Field.
