Elizabethtown College field hockey had been battling recent struggles in Landmark Conference play, being 0-2 in conference play and ninth in the standings, however, they hoped to bounce back against 10th place Juniata in a must-win game to have a shot at a playoff berth in November. The Eagles hoped to start a rally, as they had lost their last four straight, including key losses to Wilkes University and Moravian University. Senior forward Drew Bridges has been a key contributor for the Blue Jays this season, racking up four goals against D’Youville University and sat second in the Landmark scoring leaders this season.
Etown wasted no time getting on the attack early, pushing forward as first-year forward Sara Watson had the first shot of the game off the post in the opening minute. A penalty corner conceded by the Eagles was quickly capitalized on by first-year midfielder Sophie Myers who scored off of the set piece from a pass at the top of the D by junior midfielder Hannah Long. Juniata tried to find an opportunity before the end of the first quarter off a penalty corner, however, a chance that went wide squandered the opportunity, giving the Blue Jays a 1-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.
The Blue Jays’ initial start was considered slow compared to their pace in the second quarter of play, as six shots turned into four goals for Etown in the 15 minutes of play. Bridges dribbled past the defence and sent a centering pass to Long to net her first goal of the contest inside the first two minutes of the quarter.
Right after the first goal, Etown dribbled and passed right downfield as Bridges netted herself a goal from a pass by Myers nearly two minutes after the goal by Long. After senior midfielder Rachel Troutman had hit the post off of a corner, the Eagles conceded two more corners, and Etown made the last one count, as first-year forward Abbie Heckman scored her first of the game off an assist by Bridges. To round out the quarter, Long scored her second of the game after the ball had bounced around after a corner and her chance ended up in the back of the goal, ending the half with Etown holding a 5-0 lead.
The Blue Jays didn’t slow down in the third, as a foul by Juniata had given Troutman a penalty stroke five minutes into the second half. Troutman’s shot was untouchable, high and buried in the top lefthand side, giving her a goal in the contest and putting the Blue Jays up by six. Etown received a plethora of penalty corners and was able to capitalize on another set piece, as Bridges, from an assist by Long, gave the Blue Jays a 7-0 lead heading into the final quarter of play.
Myers was able to net her second goal of the contest from a pass by Long inside the first five minutes of the fourth quarter, extending the lead for the Blue Jays. The final goal of the contest was scored by Bridges, completing her hat-trick, off a rebound from the goalkeeper that was previously saved, securing the victory as Etown finished with an emphatic 9-0 win over Juniata.
As a team, Etown had put together 17 shots on goal compared to Juniata’s two, with Bridges leading the team with five of her own. Bridges finished the contest with three goals and two assists and Long had two goals with three assists. Myers had two goals and one assist in the match. The Blue Jays moved to 4-8 on the season after their victory. Etown will play their next home game against Drew University on Oct. 22 and play their final home game on Oct. 25 against Goucher University.
