Box Score WASHINGTON – The No. 9 Catholic University field hockey team recorded a season-best four-goal shutout over the Goucher Gophers, while freshman goalkeeper Sophia Hamilton provided an outstanding performance during her first game of the season on Wednesday.
It was a rainy first half of play, as a massive downpour cloaked the field after the opening minutes of play. But, the inclement weather did not stop the Catholic offense, as the Cards scored four unanswered goals in the opening 12 minutes.
With the assistance of Keira McGovern, Colleen Harwood pulled the Gopher's goalkeeper out of the box and tipped in a shot to the left bottom corner of the cage at the 4:50 minute mark. Kim Hermann extended the lead to 2-0, when she finished up a pass in front of the box from Harwood after six minutes of play.
Three minutes later, Katie Bertrand and Rebecca Lukaszczyk worked together to score off a rebound. Lukaszczyk sent a short pass to Bertrand, who crept behind the GC defense to find the left of the box.
Harwood scored the final goal of the night for the 4-0 win, on slapper just a few feet away of the right side of the cage at the 12:32 mark. Bertrand assisted on the goal.
"We talked before the game about our game plan and having an attacking mindset heading into the contest. It was great to see us connect as much as we did in those first 12 minutes and have a true attacking mentality," said head coach Gia Cillizza.
Analisa Scott was the CUA goalkeeper for the first 35 minutes, tallying two saves. Her second stop of the night was impressive prohibit of an open shot by Goucher's Emily Jewell.
After the intermission, Cillizza brought in Hamilton to relieve Scott. In her first game as a Cardinal, the freshman from Ellicott City, Md., recorded a career-high four saves. Including a tremendous fast-break stop at the 52nd minute mark. Along with Hamilton's defensive output, Michelle Sabatini and Tarah Portland registered one defensive save apiece.
"The defense was strong all game long and it was awesome to earn a shutout. A lot of players contributed to keeping the ball out of the goal. It was a true team win," said Cillizza
The Cards took 18 shots (10 on goal) and eight penalty corners, while the Gophers went for 11 shots (nine on goal) and five corners.
Catholic returns to action on Saturday, October 18 for a Landmark Conference matchup at The University of Scranton with a 1:00 p.m. start.
"I think you learn and improve with every game – win or lose. This game taught us that we can indeed execute our game plan and that we have a lot of good players," said Cillizza.
Notes: The Cardinals moved to the No. 9 slot in this week's NFHCA poll, which is published every Tuesday. CUA moved up five slots in the rankings, after defeating No. 1 Salisbury on Tuesday, October 7, 3-1 and shutting out the Drew Rangers 3-0 on Saturday, October 11.
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