Photos By Michael Lipscomb
By Marquis Frias, Assistant Sports Editor
Two fourth-quarter goals led the field hockey team to a 2-1 comeback win over Elizabethtown in the Landmark Conference semifinals Tuesday night at Sassafras Field, sending the River Hawks to the Landmark title game for the third straight year.
“It’s kind of surreal,” SU coach Allison Fordyce said. “We knew today would be the hardest game of our season… and to be able to achieve the victory tonight was great.”
The first half of the match featured no scoring from either team, as both teams displayed strong defenses.
The River Hawks (13-7) had two of their three first half shots on goal, but the Blue Jays (10-10) were able to save both of them. As for Elizabethtown, their offense didn’t manage to get off a single shot in the first 30 minutes.
That would change however in the third quarter, as two minutes before the end of the quarter the Blue Jays would break the scoreless streak. Drew Bridges found the back of the goal off an assist from Hannah Long, giving the Blue Jays a 1-0 lead.
The River Hawks went into the fourth quarter in a familiar position, being down with only 15 minutes left to play. The experience came to fruition only four minutes into the fourth, as Haley Dreisbach scored off of an Emma Campitelli assist.
Now tied, the momentum shifted to the hosts. After consecutive fouls from the Blue Jays, the River Hawks were able to strike again with seven minutes left to play after Campitelli again assisted a Jada Thompson goal.
The River Hawks have not been shy of winning in dramatic fashion, with this win being their sixth win of the year after entering the fourth quarter tied or losing.
“I loved the excitement, I loved the battle.. I think it is great when our team can do hard things because it only prepares us for what’s ahead,” Fordyce said.
The River Hawks will play at Scranton for the title Saturday at a time to be announced. It will be the third straight year that SU and the Royals have tussled for the Landmark crown.
Susquehanna has remained perfect in the series, with wins in 2023 and 2024 over the Royals.
“I think sticking to the fundamentals and executing those really well will help us… We’re just going to rely on what we do best and that is to play SU field hockey,” Fordyce said.
