By Thamoda Haputhanthri
Susquehanna University fell to Penn College 16-15 in the season opener Saturday afternoon after a close-fought affair at Sassafras Fields.
The River Hawks were looking to build off one of their highest scoring seasons in program history from last year going into this clash and would show stunning form as they scored three goals in the match’s first four minutes.
Sophomore Tyler Young got things started in the first minute of the game scoring the first goal of the year for the River Hawks, with first year’s Quin Michaels and Matt Chubenko following up with their first goals of their collegiate career.
However, indiscipline from the River Hawks would give the opportunity for the Wildcats to capitalize on penalties, which led to five of the next six goals in the match going against the home team. Penn College would see out the first quarter with a tight lead 5-4.
The second quarter would result in an onslaught from Susquehanna, tilting the game ever so in their favor, scoring four unanswered goals to take back the lead.
With the score at 8-5, the Wildcats would do their best to return the favor, scoring 2 goals in quick succession despite conceding another finish from Chubenko. As the teams dispersed at the halftime whistle, the scoreboard would read 9-7 in favor of the River Hawks.
As the second half commenced, both sides looked to close out what was aiming to be a close game, with Penn College scoring two quick goals to tie the game through Owen Kupsey and Aidan McFalls.
Susquehanna would hit back in direct fashion, as Chubenko would grab his third goal of the game followed up by a swift finish by Senior Nick Remund that made the score 11-9. What would ensue would be a tense tussle between the two teams.
Both sides would trade blows as Gabe Broome restored a two‑goal Susquehanna lead at 12–10, only for a River Hawks penalty to set up another Kupsey finish, trimming the Hawks lead to a single goal entering the fourth.
The final quarter erupted with eight goals, beginning with McFalls and Dotson pushing Penn College ahead 13-12.
Michaels answered with the equalizer for the River Hawks with 10:55 left, but the Wildcats responded immediately as sophomore Ian Edinger went coast‑to‑coast for a go‑ahead strike before Dotson added his third goal of the game to make it 15–13 in favor of Penn College.
Senior Kieran Koenke kept Susquehanna within reach with a pair of goals, but a solo finish from Penn College’s Jesse Weick with seven minutes left restored a 16-14 cushion the Wildcats would not surrender.
Penn College controlled the ensuing faceoff, and although Tyler Young generated a late look, Wildcats goalkeeper Ryan Twist turned it aside. A series of costly turnovers in the closing minutes sealed the River Hawks’ fate as Penn College held on for the 16-15 victory.
Kupsey of the Wildcats would lead the scoring, with seven of the Wildcats’ 16 goals, with teammate McFalls following up with four.
Chubenko led the scoring for Susquehanna with three goals, with five other River Hawks scoring two goals each.
The River Hawks would carry the bulk of the penalties, with Susquehanna causing six and Penn College causing one. “We made many mental errors that we can learn from,” Coach Moan said. “A lot of new guys out there, learning, making some mistakes, that’s all part of the game, we hope to continue to learn from it,”
Coach Moan emphasized the need for the team to bounce back, stating, “We got to get better by the time we play conference games. Keep on working, keep on grinding and hopefully, these guys will grow up quickly, especially with a lot of little things we can work on.”
Susquehanna looks to build onwards as they face Arcadia University on Saturday, Feb. 21 at 1:00 p.m. at Sassafras Fields.