University of Scranton

The University of Scranton field hockey team cruised past Muhlenberg College, 3-1, in the 2026 season opener Tuesday afternoon at Weiss Field in Scranton.

The Basics

• Final Score: Scranton 3, Muhlenberg 1
• Records: Scranton (1-0), Muhlenberg (0-1)
• With the win, Scranton opens the season 1-0 for the sixth consecutive season.

How it Happened

• Scranton applied pressure early in the opening quarter, earning three penalty corners within the first seven minutes. On the Royals' third corner of the frame, Lydia Bechtel flipped a pass to Maggie Keys off the insertion, and Keys fired a bullet into the cage to give Scranton an early 1-0 lead.
• The Royals continued to control the pace of the contest in the second quarter, holding Muhlenberg without a shot in the opening half. Despite consistent offensive pressure, Mules' goalkeeper Breanna Fitzpatrick made four saves in the second quarter to keep the game at 1-0 heading into halftime.
• Just 1:02 into the third quarter, Olivia Dougherty carried the ball toward the back line and sent a cross to classmate Shana Goldsmith, who tapped a shot into the cage to put Scranton ahead 2-0.
• With just under seven minutes remaining in the third quarter, Olivia Burdo collected a loose ball in front of the cage and flicked a shot into the back of the net to extend the Royals' lead to 3-0.
• Muhlenberg nearly broke through against the Scranton defense late in the third quarter, but Liz Ferrara blocked a shot by Rachel Hager, earning a defensive save and keeping the Mules off the scoreboard.
• The Mules got on the board with their first goal of the season midway through the fourth quarter, but a late comeback attempt fell short as Scranton secured the season-opening victory at home.

Top Performers

• Keys, Goldsmith and Burdo each scored one goal apiece.
• Dougherty and Bechtel tallied assists in the win.
• Liz Ferrara registered a defensive save, the first of her career.

Inside the Box Score

• Scranton held a 23-4 advantage in shots and a 17-2 edge in shots on goal.
• The Royals held the 12-2 edge in penalty corner attempts. 

Up Next

• The field hockey team returns to action Saturday against Swarthmore College, with action slated to begin at 1 PM in Swarthmore, Pa.