MEADVILLE, Pa. – The Allegheny field hockey team moved to 2-0 in North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) play Sunday (Sept. 20) as they defeated Wittenberg 2-1 at home.
The Gator offense was persistent in the opening quarter, putting five shots on target and earning a pair of corners. On the other end of the field, the Gators did not allow a shot in the frame.
The persistence paid off for the Gators midway through the second quarter.
Caroline Smith (Colorado Springs, Colo./Liberty) created a turnover near midfield. She took it down the field, and struck from a few steps inside the arc for the goal.
After scoring their first goal, the Gators did not need much time to tally another. Following a corner,
Cora Miranda (Buffalo, N.Y./Williamsville East) found
Maddy Keenan (Pittsburgh, Pa./Penn Trafford) during a scrum in front of the net. Keenan was able to sneak a shot past the goalie as the Allegheny advantage grew to two goals heading into the halftime break.
The Tigers got on the scoreboard late in the third quarter, dropping the Allegheny lead to 2-1 as they entered the fourth.
Early in the fourth, the Tigers nearly tied it up on a pair of shots.
Jamie Marchewka (Buffalo, N.Y./Amherst Central) made a defensive save on the first attempt before
Rowan O'Toole (Glen Burnie, Md./Archbishop Spalding) saved the second.
In the final two minutes of play, the Tigers pressured the Gators with seven shots, four of which were on target, and four corners. O'Toole stood tall in goal, making three saves while
Rhyan Rish (Dublin, Ohio/Dublin Jerome) had a defensive save to preserve the Gator victory.
Inside the Box
- Smith scored unassisted in the second quarter.
- Minutes later, Keenan scored off an assist by Miranda.
- The Tigers scored their lone goal late in the third.
- O'Toole earned the win in net, making six saves, four of which were in the final 15 minutes of play.
- Rish and Marchewka each made a defensive save.
- The Gators produced 14 shots and earned six corners.
News and Notes
- Allegheny is now 2-7 all-time against Wittenberg.
- Smith had her 11th career goal.
- Kennan scored her ninth career goal.
- Miranda registered her second assist of the year.
Up Next
The Gators travel to Wooster for a midweek NCAC contest Wednesday (Sept. 23).
