Photo Courtesy of Susquehanna Athletics
By Pat McDermott
The Susquehanna Women’s soccer team clinched a birth in 2026 Landmark Conference playoffs for the second straight after a 2-0 win over Goucher College Wednesday at Sassafras Field.
Entering the final day of the regular season, the River Hawks (10-5-3 Overall, 3-3-3 Landmark) sat seventh in the Landmark Conference rankings with a 2-3-3 conference record.
With only the top six teams earning playoff bids in the landmark conference, the River Hawks needed to win against Goucher (1-15 Overall, 0-9), along with a Wilkes tie or loss against Lycoming.
Once the game kicked off, Susquehanna controlled possession throughout the first half, creating several scoring opportunities while keeping Goucher on the defensive side of the field.
The River Hawks came out of the gates strong, recording 16 shots in the first half, but were unable to find the back of the net.
The game was scoreless at halftime despite Susquehanna’s domination of possession and shots in the first half
The River Hawks came out the second half firing out the gates, thanks to a goal from junior Kate Adelman off of an assist from senior Masie Baker in the 48th minute.
Seven minutes later, sophomore Nicole Freiler found the back of the net less than seven minutes later, scoring in the 56th minute to extend Susquehanna’s advantage to 2-0.
Susquehanna continued to dominate possession throughout the remainder of the second half, creating 19 additional shooting opportunities while preventing Goucher from building any offensive momentum.
The River Hawks finished the game with 35 shots compared to just one from Goucher, while also holding a 10-0 advantage in corner kicks.
Junior Ava Billmeyer led Susquehanna with seven shots, including four on goal, while Adelman added six shots, four on goal, and a goal of her own.
On the defensive side of the field, goalkeeper Katie Henchy recorded one save in 90 minutes of play, helping the River Hawks secure another shutout victory.
Just a couple of minutes after the end of regulation, after both teams shook hands and walked off the field, the match between Wilkes and Lycoming went final, with the match ending in a 1-1 tie.
Susquehanna players and coaches screamed and jumped with joy as they realized they we’re back in the playoffs.
With the regular season coming to a close, the River Hawks will look to carry their momentum into postseason play.
The first round of the Landmark Conference Playoffs will kickoff on Halloween on Saturday, October 31st as the sixth seeded River Hawks will travel to Bethlehem to face third-seeded Moravian University.