SELINSGROVE, Pa. – The Dickinson women's lacrosse team allowed two goals over the opening ten minutes of the game but then kept the host Susquehanna University off the scoreboard for the next 30-plus minutes en route to a hard fought 7-4 gritty non-conference win at Sassafras Field.
First Quarter
- Dickinson controlled the opening draw thanks to Sage Whiteside and immediately got chances from both Heidi Schmidt and Abby Geary, but Aerin O'Brien was up to the task.
- The first goal of the contest came at the 2:29 mark when Abby Andrus finished past Peyton VanDorpe. However, consecutive turnovers caused by CC Defensive Player of the Week Schuyler Cerow ultimately resulted in Jillian McNulty setting up Geary to tie the game.
- Unfortunately, for the Red and White they would be held without a shot the remainder of the frame, while Andrus was able to net her second of the day for a 2-1 edge after one.
Second Quarter
- O'Brien was strong early denying Eva Gardner, before shutting down Bella Guckes following a turnover caused by McKenna Keefer.
- The visitors continued their aggressive defensive play but were issued three cards in a two-minute span. Fortunately, the River Hawks were only able to muster one shot during that stretch which did not bother VanDorpe.
- However, at the other end Schmidt hit the crossbar with a shot allowing Lexi Thaut to scoop up the groundball and deposit it into the net knotting the score.
- Each keeper was then called upon to make a stop with O'Brien stopping Caroline Cavendish, while VanDorpe stoned Waverly Oake-Libow on a free-position.
- Following another SU giveaway caused by Keefer, Whiteside connected with Schmidt for the strike making it 3-2 at halftime.
Third Quarter
- Dickinson's defense continued to be stout during the opening four-plus minutes as the Red and White did not allow a shot to SU, while also forcing three miscues thanks to Quinn Foa, Geary and VanDorpe.
- After a save by O'Brien on Whiteside, the rock skipped out to Geary who dished to Crawford Fisher for her first of the season and a two-goal lead (4-2).
- The defensive wall continued to be built by the Devils following the tally with Bella Guckes and McNulty joining together for three more caused turnovers in addition to not conceding a shot as the period entered the final five minutes.
- Gardner was turned aside by O'Brien late in the frame and Sophia Trively went wide of the cage with the Hawks only shot.
Fourth Quarter
- Dickinson needed only 26 seconds to make it 5-2 with Foa setting up Guckes.
- Then, just a couple of minutes later coming off a stop for O'Brien on Grace Kelly, Trively would find the back of the net.
- The two sides combined for four turnovers over the ensuing five minutes until Maggie McDermott was able to finish off a possession for SU with a goal bringing it down to 5-4 with seven minutes left.
- Dickinson then played some "make it, take it" with Foa claiming the ensuing draw leading to Whiteside marker, before Foa nabbed another draw resulting in Geary scoring setting the 7-4 final.
Dickinson Top Performers
- Goals – Geary (2)
- Assists – Five players tied (1)
- Draw Controls – Cerow and Foa (3), Whiteside (2)
- Caused Turnovers – Cerow, Keefer and McNulty (3), Geary and VanDorpe (2)
- Saves – VanDorpe (2)
Opponent Top Performers
- Goals – Andrus (2)
- Assists – DiComes (2)
- Draw Controls – Nagegast (2)
- Caused Turnovers – O'Brien (3), Povalski (2)
- Saves – O'Brien (10)
Up Next
- Dickinson (2-0) returns home for their next game on Sunday afternoon at 1pm as they welcome tenth-ranked Dension University to Biddle Field.
