Photo Courtesy of Susquehanna Athletics
By Thamoda Haputhanthri
*editor’s note; The records in the second paragraph are the record of both teams at regular season’s end.*
Susquehanna goalie Katie Hency follows a save in penalty shootouts with the game-winning goal to help No.6 seeded Susquehanna defeat No.3 seed Moravian
1-1 (4-3 penalties) Saturday in Bethlehem, Pa to advance.
The River Hawks (10-5-4 Overall, 3-3-3 Landmark) and the Greyhounds (10-4-3 Overall, 6-3 Landmark) squared off in the first round of the Landmark Conference playoffs after Susquehanna snuck into the bracket after a win against Goucher last Wednesday.
The two squads met in the regular season only two weeks prior in Bethlehem, where Moravian came back down a goal in the second half to defeat the River Hawks 2-1.
The River Hawks opened the game in quick fashion, as junior Ava Billmeyer put Susquehanna on the board in the 12th minute, assisted by sophomore Nicole Freiler. Billmeyer was also the lone River Hawk to score against Moravian in their regular season matchup.
The two teams would butt heads with a valiant defensive effort for the remainder of the first half. Susquehanna eight total shots in the half, while Moravian was only held to three.
In the second half, with the game still at 1-0, both teams continued their defensive battle from the first half. Moravian continuously got more opportunities at goal, as they were aggressively looking for the equalizer, while Susquehanna attempted to keep the Greyhounds away.
However, Moravian would find the equalizer they were looking for with only 17 minutes to go, as Lilyana Potts would put the ball in the back of the net. Neither team were able to find the second even through extra time, leading the game to a penalty shootout.
Both teams would score their first set of penalties, until Billmeyer would miss Susquehanna’s second penalty of the session. However, Moravian would fail to capitalize on the mistake after a Reagan Bleiler’s shot was saved by Henchy.
Junior Kate Adelman will step up and sink her penalty, tying the score back up at two apiece. Both teams would score again on each of their fourth penalty kicks of the session, setting up the fifth attempt with the score at 3-3.
Claire Wechsler would step up first to take Moravian’s final shot, which was once again saved by Henchy, opening the door for Susquehanna to win it on the final shot.
To most people’s shock and disarray, the goalkeeper Henchy stepped up to the ball to take the final kick. As the ball released from her foot, it would contact Moravian goalkeeper Caitlyn Phillips and snuck into the net, giving the River Hawks the win.
In the box score, Susquehanna would lead Moravian on shots taken 20-14 and would field a two-goal advantage in shots on target. Through regulation and extra time, Susquehanna hero Katie Henchy would finish with eight saves on the night.
The win punches Susquehanna’s ticket to the second round of the Landmark Conference playoffs for the second straight season where they will matchup against No. 2 seed Scranton.
The result also gives Susquehanna a déjà vu effect, as in last year’s playoffs, the River Hawks defeated Elizabethtown on the road in the first round via penalty shootout, setting up a second round match with Scranton. The River Hawks’ season came to an end in Scranton where they lost 1-0.
For the second straight year, the River Hawks will take on Scranton for a bid to the championship game on Wednesday, Nov 5 at 7 p.m. in Scranton, Pa.