WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Catholic University field hockey team earned a share of the Landmark Conference regular season championship as it wrapped up the regular season with a 2-1 win over Susquehanna on Wednesday evening.
Carly Bateman and
Lauren Keast each provided a goal to help the Cardinals secure the No. 2 seed in the Landmark Conference Tournament.
Entering the game, Catholic needed a victory to secure a top-two seed and a bye in the upcoming Landmark Conference Championships. With Catholic's one-goal victory, Susquehanna remains the one seed, Catholic slides into the number two spot, and Scranton falls into the third seed and a quarterfinal matchup on Saturday due to goal differential between the three teams.
Similar to previous contests this season, the Cardinals exchanged possession evenly with their opponent in the opening 15 minutes. Both teams were able to fend off an early penalty corner attempt from the other side to keep the affair tied.
Catholic picked up the pressure in the second quarter, recording seven shots, four of which were on goal. After a few scrambles in front of the cage that came up empty, Bateman broke the deadlock with a brilliant finish from the end line with just over six minutes left in the first half.
Sophia Conners slapped the ball with all her might towards the cage, but River Hawk goalkeeper
Ashley Derrick got a pad on it for a save. Bateman was in position on the back post to collect the rebound and tap it in. This marks Bateman's third goal of the season.
The Cardinals doubled their lead just 30 seconds in the third quarter.
Lauren D'Emilio fired a strong pass across the arch to a waiting Keast. Keast collected the ball, eyed the goalkeeper, lined it up, and buried a goal to the back of the cage. The reigning Landmark Conference Defensive Athlete of the Week, Keast has contributed to a goal in each of the last four games and has scored a goal in three of the last four contests.
It looked like Catholic was going to run away with it, but the River Hawks did not back down. They stole the momentum halfway through the third quarter after a few whistles in quick succession allowed Susquehanna to push forward. Sarah McAndrews found an opening low and shot one on goal. A frenzy in front ensued and no one was able to clear the ball before it squeaked across the line. With the deficit now cut in half, the River Hawks had some life but a huge defensive save from veteran
Gracie Burford with 10 minutes remaining and four pivotal saves from goalkeeper
Abigail Kearney in the fourth quarter allowed Catholic to hold on. Buford now has six defensive saves on the season, the second most in the conference.
The result moved Catholic to 12-4 on the season and 8-1 in the Landmark Conference. The River Hawks left D.C. at 13-5 and 8-1 in the Landmark Conference. The Cardinals have won seven consecutive games by an aggregate score of 26-2.
Catholic has earned a bye in the Landmark Conference Tournament and will host a conference semifinal against the winner of the No. 3 and No. 6 matchup featuring Scranton and the winner of Wilkes versus Drew.
