Elizabethtown College Field Hockey season has finally kicked off for the Blue Jays as they were set to take on Simmons University Sharks on Sept. 4. Etown had come off a strong 2025 campaign last season, putting together a strong win streak to end their season.
After rallying from last in the Landmark standings to a playoff spot, the Blue Jays battled their way into defeating Lycoming in the first round of the Landmark Championships before ultimately losing to Susquehanna in a close 2-1 defeat on the road.
Having been ranked in the preseason poll at third and picking up their first win of the season on the road against Widener, Etown was ready to put on a show for the home crowd.
In the first quarter, the Blue Jays came out blazing, putting the first shot on goal within the first minute with a shot by junior forward Meadow Keet. Etown was able to draw a foul inside the D, giving the Blue Jays a prime opportunity to open up the scoring within the first minute. Sophomore midfielder Sophie Myers was given the chance to take the penalty stroke and buried it in the back of the goal, giving the Blue Jays an early 1-0 lead.
Etown continued to control possession throughout the first, allowing zero shots on goal from the Sharks while they continued to pour on the pressure, adding seven shots without an answer. Simmons’ defense held strong, holding the Blue Jay lead at one as the time expired in the first quarter.
Etown continued to control the game through the second quarter, with junior midfielder Hailey Meyer and Keet adding three shots combined within the first 10 minutes of the period. Simmons was able to find a counter attack as time was expiring in the half, however, Etown’s defense held strong, forcing the shot wide of the net.
The Blue Jays were able to find their second goal of the game after first-year forward Carly Schumacher fed a pass to senior midfielder Hannah Long who increased Etown’s lead to 2-0. Despite Long adding another shot late in the period, time expired as the Blue Jays held a comfortable lead.
The third quarter looked similarly to the first half, as Etown continued to find opportunities inside the Sharks’ territory. Instead of a large amount of shots on target, the Blue Jays found chances through penalty corners, totaling six within the first eight minutes. After netting herself in the stat sheets with an assist earlier, Schumacher was able to score a goal of her own halfway through the period, extending Etown’s lead to three.
Within two minutes after the goal by Schumacher, the Blue Jays were able to find the back of the net again, with Meyer receiving a pass from Keet and pocketing the ball past the goalie. Etown continued to add pressure onto the Simmons defense, adding five corners and three shots on goal, however, the score remained 4-0 at the end of the third quarter.
Simmons had an opportunity in the fourth to get a goal back on the Blue Jays after drawing a foul inside the D and receiving a penalty stroke of their own. Despite senior goalkeeper Lily Deblasio being removed from the game in the third, first-year Megan Doll got the opportunity to shine, saving the penalty and keeping the shutout alive for the Blue Jays. Etown added a few more shots on target, continuing to add pressure on the Sharks’ defense.
As time expired, Etown had secured their first shutout victory at home since Oct. 8 last season against Juniata College and won their home opener for the first time since 2022. Schumacher led the Blue Jays on the stat sheet with a goal and an assist in her first home game in the blue and white.
Etown as a whole was unstoppable, putting up 28 shots compared to Simmons’ 2 on the game. Etown moves to 2-0 on the season and will play their next home game against Stevenson University on Sept. 15 at Wolf Field.
