WASHINGTON – The Catholic University of America field hockey team won its Landmark Conference opener on Saturday afternoon as the No. 20-ranked Cardinals downed Susquehanna, 4-1.

The Cards scored twice in each half and were three defensive saves away from scoring seven times in the game.

Rookie Marykate McCracken got the scoring starting as she found the back of the cage the second time in her career, finishing the setup by junior Kelly Cousoulis off a penalty corner. The goal came just 4:50 into the game.

12 minutes later a penalty deep in he Susquehanna zone gave junior Rachel Day a stroke chance and she buried the opportunity, going high above the keeper's outs-stretched blocker. She now leads the Cardinals with eight goals and 18 points.

Day had a hand in Catholic's next score as she found sophomore Rachel Baca in front of the cage for the goal, just five minutes in to the second half.

Junior Marisa Martinelli set up the final goal as she passed to Hannah Schied who made an impressive, diving shot that beat the River Hawks' goalie and put the Cards up, 4-0.

Susquehanna got one back with just 1:14 to play off a deflected shot, but would get no closer.

Catholic outshot their opponent, 18-6, including a 12-4 mark in the first half. The Cardinals also totaled 15 penalty corners to the River Hawks' six.

The Cards continue home-play next Wednesday at 7 p.m., when they host local foe, Mary Washington.

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