Cassie Mullen	Blaire Wilkie

Box Score

SCRANTON, Pa.—Junior forward Cassie Mullen (Chester Springs, Pa./Villa Maria Academy) ignited a second-half rally with two goals to lift The University of Scranton field hockey team to a 3-1 victory over Marywood University at Pacer Field Friday afternoon.

The Royals also received a goal from junior back Blaire Wilkie (Kulpsville, Pa./North Penn) to improve to 3-0, their best start since 2011.

Despite holding a commanding 45-3 advantage in shots and a 15-3 margin in penalty corners, Scranton found itself trailing 1-0 at intermission.

For the second straight game, Scranton allowed a goal on its opponent’s first shot attempt.

This time, Pacer sophomore forward Leanne McManus (Wilkes-Barre, Pa./E.L. Meyers) inflicted the damage, scoring a goal on a misplayed ball that found the right side of the cage.

The Royals finally broke through in the 38th minute, when Mullen drilled a shot from the right perimeter that got past Pacer junior goalkeeper Natalie Winters (Hopewell Twp., NJ/Hopewell Valley Central).  Seven minutes later, Mullen struck again, scoring off of a deflection of a previous shot attempt that was saved by Winters, who was brilliant in defeat, making 23 saves, including 14 in the second half.

In the 48th minute, Wilkie followed up a shot attempt that was knocked away by Winters to score the first goal of her career.  Junior Krista Mundy (North Caldwell, NJ/West Essex) made one save to improve to 2-0 on in the season in goal for Scranton.

The Royals will return to action on Saturday, September 14, against the Lions of Albright College at Fitzpatrick Field beginning at 1:00 p.m.

News & Notes:  Mullen’s goals were the ninth and 10th of her career… The Royals are now 32-6-1 lifetime against Marywood… Mundy is now 11-5 in goal in her career… Scranton has out-shot its first three opponents, 94-19.

--ROYALS--