Box Score
Box score
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The University of Scranton field hockey team was faced with a tall task on Saturday night – try to beat a nationally ranked opponent on its home field for the second time in eight days with a conference championship on the line.
That challenge turned out to be too much for the Royals, as they fell to 20th-ranked Catholic, 2-0, in the Landmark Conference championship at Cardinal Stadium.
Fourth-seeded Scranton (14-6) was seeking its first conference championship and second NCAA Tournament bid in the program's 38 seasons. The Royals, who earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament in 1997, will now have to hope for the same when the field is announced on Monday.
Second-seeded Catholic (12-6) earned the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament while winning its third straight Landmark title. The Cardinals received goals from sophomore midfielder Ellen Thorburn (Haverford, Pa./Agnes Irwin) and junior midfielder Maura Campbell (Media, Pa./Archbishop Carroll) in the first half.
Junior goalkeeper Krista Mundy (North Caldwell, N.J./West Essex) made six saves for Scranton, including four in the second half. The Royals finished with six shots to Catholic's nine. Junior midfielder Alyssa Fania (Annandale, N.J./North Hunterdon) had three shots to lead the Royals.
The Royals reached Saturday's title game by defeating 18th-ranked Drew, 3-2, in overtime and were hoping for their third win over a ranked opponent in their last three matches. But they could not find the magic again, despite holding a 9-6 victory in penalty corners.
Scranton, which was playing in the Landmark Conference championship for the first time, lost its first game this season by more than one goal. The Royals' previous five losses all came by one goal, including one in overtime and another in double overtime.
Scranton's 14 victories are currently the second-most in school history behind 16-win seasons in 1997 and 1998.
--ROYALS--
