Elizabethtown College field hockey took on their Landmark Conference foe Lycoming College on Saturday, Oct. 18 on the road. The Blue Jays had recently come into playoff contention after defeating Catholic University on the road in a historic 5-1 win, defeating the Cardinals for the first time since 2016, when the Blue Jays won with a narrow 1-0 scoreline. The Warriors were coming into the matchup on a three-game win streak, defeating three Landmark opponents in Moravian University, Catholic, and Goucher College all 2-1 to put them fourth in the Landmark standings, potentially placing themselves in a playoff spot.
Lycoming started off strong, holding off the Blue Jays by winning the possession battle and gaining more shots on target, which gave the Etown defense trouble as they conceded three early penalty corners. Etown had gotten possession back after a few shots by the Warriors and at around the halfway point in the first quarter, the Blue Jays struck first, as a shot by junior midfielder Hannah Long found the back of the net after a pass from senior forward Drew Bridges set her up. With a 1-0 deficit, the Warriors put on an all out attack, including five more shots before the end of the quarter, with the difference between the two sides being seven shots to one. Lycoming couldn’t find the back of the net as the first 15 minutes expired as the Blue Jays held a 1-0 lead heading into the second quarter.
The Warriors didn’t let off the gas in the second quarter, putting the pressure on the Etown defense with five shots and four penalty corners in around two minutes, however, first-year goalkeeper Emma Dupes made five saves, stopping the Lycoming attack. On the sixth shot attempt of the quarter, the Warriors were able to tie the game at 1-1, after the goal from senior defender Tayah Bauer. With only a few minutes remaining in the half, Lycoming found their first lead of the game off a goal by first-year forward Laurel Fite who capitalized off a pass from sophomore forward Lacy Eckard to give the Warriors the lead heading into the half, with the score being 2-1.
The Blue Jays had completely turned the tide of the game heading into the second half, limiting the Warriors to only one shot the entirety of the third and themselves putting 12 shots on goal. Despite the repeated efforts by Etown, Lycoming held onto the lead heading into the final quarter of play, leading by only one goal. The Blue Jays were on the attack for the entirety of the final 15 minutes, producing another 10 shots and limiting Lycoming to only three. Etown broke free in the first minute of the fourth quarter, as sophomore forward Meadow Keet tied the game up at two all after burying her shot in the goal followed by celebrations with her teammates. Etown tried to find another opportunity to upset their opponent, however, the Warriors could breathe a sigh of relief for now as the Blue Jay attack was halted at only one goal.
For a very important Landmark victory for both sides, Etown and Lycoming head into overtime. The Blue Jays had put together a dominant second half, however, the second quarter performance put together by the Warriors had everyone on the edge of their seat, wondering which side will take the much needed victory. Lycoming had their chances early, producing two shots and four penalty corners, but the Blue Jay defense held strong. With around five minutes gone in the overtime period, Lycoming conceded a penalty corner, and with a centering pass sent in by first-year midfielder Kaylie Noel, Long was able to punch in her second goal of the game and win it for the Blue Jays in overtime 3-2, upsetting the now 9-6 Lycoming Warriors.
Long finished the game with two goals and five shots on goal. Bridges piled on the attacking pressure, contributing an assist along with eight shots, six of them being on goal. Keet scored on her only shot of the game, and Noel contributed an assist with two shots.
The Blue Jays moved to 6-9 on the season and placed seventh in the Landmark Conference standings, just one spot out of playoff position. Etown will play their final regular season game on the road against Moravian on Wednesday, Oct. 29.
