Photos by Michael Lipscomb
By Thamoda Haputhanthri
Susquehanna Women’s Field Hockey’s late-game surge led to a 3-1 win over Lycoming (10-6 overall, 4-4 conf.) College on Saturday in Selinsgrove, capping off a successful senior day.
The win gives the River Hawks (11-7 overall, 7-1 conf.) a first round bye in the 2025 field hockey Landmark Playoffs. Susquehanna will join Scranton University as the two teams to earn first round byes.
The River Hawks started out the day celebrating their seniors Casey Bruchak, Isa Napoli, Emma Campitelli and Riley Corbett in a wonderful gesture which saw them walk out with their loved ones while being serenaded by the home crowd.
Susquehanna Head Coach Allison Fordyce reflected on how important the seniors have been to the team: “We have a saying on our team, what you give you keep, what you save you lose, and by that saying it means that they have given the program very much and taken very little, we are very lucky to have the four of them be part of the Susquehanna Field Hockey legacy.”
The first half saw a hard-fought battle between Susquehanna and Lycoming. The Warriors sat deep with a brilliant defensive performance, while the River Hawks looked to get one by goalkeeper Isabella Bobé.
Susquehanna had a total of 17 shots to Lycoming’s zero in the first half, eventually finding the opening goal with nine seconds to go before the halftime break courtesy of freshman Haley Dreisbach’s first collegiate goal. Taylor Rothermel also assisted on the play to give Susquehanna a 1-0 lead.
A response was demanded from Lycoming, and was answered in the third quarter by Lacy Eckard, who scored the Warriors only shot in the match. Eckard’s 40th minute goal tied the game at 1-1, leaving the game up to any team who was willing to strike first.
However, the River Hawks would come into their own in the fourth quarter, as Hannah Garlin would slot away a penalty in the 48th minute to regain the lead for Susquehanna.
The go ahead goal was followed by the dagger for the Warriors, after Campitelli would put the finishing touch on a great team performance scoring her tenth goal of the season and give the River Hawks a 3-1 lead.
With this performance, River Hawks secured the second seed in the playoffs and a first week bye. “This is the best time of the season, every game matters, every goal matters, every minute of every game can determine something bigger,” Fordyce said. We battled hard this season to get to this sport, so I am really excited to see what’s ahead.”
The River Hawks have one more hurdle before they begin their path to the Landmark Conference Playoffs when they play Goucher on Wednesday, Oct. 29 at 6:00 p.m. at Sassafras Fields.