The Elizabethtown College field hockey team took their talents on the road this past week squaring off against their Landmark Conference opponent, the Juniata College Eagles. Etown came into the contest searching for their first Landmark Conference victory despite sporting a strong non-conference record.
The pass back from the center kicked off the game and both teams were stuck looking for an opportunity early. Both sides attempted to find multiple passes into the opposing territories;, however, the Blue Jay and Eagles defenses held strong. Etown broke through first with a penalty inside the D forcing a penalty corner halfway through the first quarter.
Etown attempted to capitalize off the set piece with the pass from senior midfielder Mia Fino to senior midfielder Hannah Long, the team’s leading point scorer. Long’s shot ended up wide of the goal;, however, it provided the much needed pressure onto the Juniata defense.
The Blue Jays found another opportunity shortly after, with a foul by the Eagles on a goal scoring opportunity forcing a penalty stroke by Etown. First-year forward Carly Schumacher stepped up to the mark and was able to slot her shot in the back of the net, giving Etown an early 1-0 lead.
Etown continued to step on the gas, utilizing their speed and attacking strength to their advantage. Sophomore forward Sara Watson’s shot ended up wide of the net as they continued to pour on the pressure. Schumacher found her second opportunity of the quarter, with her shot being saved by the Juniata goalkeeper, stopping the Blue Jays from picking up an early brace.
Juniata started the second quarter down 1-0;, however, they applied pressure with their first shot of the contest coming in the first two minutes of the quarter. Etown’s offense didn’t stop after the first 15 minutes, with Etown picking up four penalty corners in four minutes.
The second corner provided a key opportunity for junior midfielder Hailey Meyer’, however, her two shots were blocked either by the pads of the keeper or the defender in the way, keeping the score at 1-0.
Etown continued pressing the Juniata defense, hoping it would break after enough pressure. Meyer’s shot was saved by the Eagles’s goalkeeper;, however, the ball deflected off of the keeper right in front of Watson, who was able to pocket her shot into the goal to give Etown a 2-0 lead.
Etown wasn’t done yet with their scoring efforts. Schumacher found another opportunity atin the end of the half, scoring her second goal of the game with less than two minutes remaining. The Blue Jays carried a 3-0 lead heading into the halftime break.
The Blue Jays offense gave their defense an easy day of work, with two more penalty corners in the opposing end leading the charge as they continued to break through the Eagles’ defense.
Schumacher and first-year forward Ava Wolfe each added a shot each on goal;, however, they were kept out by saves by Juniata. Etown’s offense slowed down in the fourth quarter, with the only shot on goal coming from sophomore midfielder Calleigh Hoy, whose shot was saved.
Despite no second half goals, Etown put together a statement win on the road, defeating Juniata 3-0. Schumacher led the Blue Jays with two goals, followed by Watson with one. Etown was determined to put together a victory, outshooting the Eagles 14-to-1 with nine shots on goal. Senior goalkeeper Lily DeBlasio had an easy day at the office, recording zero saves on no shots on goal.
Etown moves to 7-5 on the season and 1-2 in conference play. The Blue Jays will head back home against Landmark Conference opponent, the Lycoming College Warriors on Oct. 17 as they attempt to make back-to-back postseason appearances.
