WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Catholic field hockey team hosted sixth-seeded Susquehanna on Tuesday evening for a Landmark Conference Semifinal match up. Second half goals from
Bella Reyes and
Tess Hake sent the game into overtime where the Cardinals fell to the River Hawks, 3-2.
After earning a bye in the First Round, Catholic was ready for a battle. The River Hawks set the tone very early on in the match, scoring in under two minutes of game action. Kiara Koeller broke away, dribbling the ball closer to the Cardinal defense. She sent the ball right to Jada Thompson who took the shot, scoring her 10th goal of the season and giving them the early advantage.
The same duo managed to breakaway again, this time, Kiara Koeller scoring for the River Hawks. Thompson delivered a pass to Koeller who snuck the ball past Lowman, extending the lead to 2-0.
Catholic looked for scoring opportunities, earning eight penalty corners in the first half and taking nine shots. But Susquehanna held the 2-0 lead heading into the intermission.
It was a third scoreless quarter, with both teams playing strong defense. They each logged one shot apiece while Susquehanna had the lone penalty corner. The River Hawks maintained the lead as they entered the final quarter of play.
With 10 minutes left on the clock,
Bella Reyes dribbled the ball into the circle, taking a shot that went right through goalkeeper's legs, putting the Cardinals on the board and narrowing the gap to one. This was her second goal of the season.
Catholic kept fighting for the equalizer in the final few minutes, looking to force the River Hawks into overtime. They earned four straight corner,
Maddie Pennisi logging two shots while
Lauren Keast took one of her own. They succeeded in the 57th minute of play, when Keast sent a strong pass to
Tess Hake, who took the perfect touch to knot the score at two goals apiece, sending the game into overtime. This was Hake's fourth goal of the season.
The crowd was roaring in the stands as the game entered overtime. Catholic earned a few penalty corners, with Pennisi and Flynn looking to capitalize. In the second overtime, Hake took the first shot for Catholic which resulted in a Catholic penalty corner. Pennisi fired a shot in, but it was off target.
In the 72nd minute of play, Jada Thompson took two back-to-back shots that were saved by Lowman. Isabel Goncalves managed to get a stick on the rebound, putting the ball on the ground where Hannah Garlin was waiting to tap it in and secure the win, 3-2.
Despite taking the loss, Catholic had an impressive day on both sides of the field. Lowman logged four saves, bringing her season total to 76.
Tess Hake's goal puts her alongside Pennisi and
Molly Romano who each have four goals this season. They finish behind Flynn and
Hope Wagner who lead the squad with six.
The Cardinals put the River Hawk defense to the test, taking 21 shots, including 14 on goal. They also had 16 penalty corners on the day.
Catholic closes out the season with an overall record of 9-9 and Landmark Conference record of 7-2.
