Cassie Mullen	Jessica Pankey

Box Score

SELINSGROVE, Pa.—The University of Scranton field hockey team entered today’s game at Susquehanna with an opportunity to lock up a Landmark Conference tournament bid.

Those plans, however, were put on hold, as the Crusaders scored twice in the second half to pull out a 2-1 victory.

The loss snaps a four-game winning streak for Scranton, now 12-2 overall and 2-2 in the Landmark Conference.  With the win, Susquehanna improves to 8-8 overall and 1-4 in conference play.

Scranton dominated the game statistically—holding a 23-5 advantage in shots and a 13-3 margin in penalty corners—but the Crusaders made the most of their limited opportunities.

They tied it up in the 38th minute on a goal by Lauren Cram off of a play set up by Brodie Ercole, then took the lead for good just seven minutes later when Emily Novakovich redirected a ball served up by Nancy Heidt that got past Royal goalkeeper Krista Mundy (North Caldwell, NJ/West Essex).  Mundy finished with two saves.

In a first half in which Scranton held a commanding 10-1 advantage in shots, the Royals finally got on the scoreboard in the 27th minute when junior Cassie Mullen (Chester Springs, Pa./Villa Maria Academy) redirected a previous shot attempt by sophomore back Jessica Pankey (Pompton Lakes, NJ/Pompton Lakes).  Mullen’s goal was seventh of the season and Pankey’s assist was her third.

That would be the last shot attempt, however, that Scranton would get past Crusader goalkeeper Margaret Ruth, who frustrated the Royals by coming up with 15 saves.

Scranton will return to action this Wednesday, October 23, against nationally ranked Montclair St. University at 4:00 p.m. at Fitzpatrick Field.  The game is open to the public and admission is free.

--ROYALS--