The Elizabethtown College women’s field hockey team defeated Wesley College 2-1 last Thursday. Junior Jacki Hikes posted both goals in the victory. On Saturday, the Blue Jays did not have the same outcome. The Blue Jays fell 3-1 to No. 14 Catholic University in their first Landmark Conference competition.
Hikes came through for the Blue Jays during the last 10 minutes to seal the victory for Etown. In the first half, Etown had the first nine shots before Wesley had its first at 28:25. The first goal of the game from Hikes was off an assist from first-year Emma Christman.
During the second half, both Hikes and junior Alyssa Aichele had chances off two penalty corners, but neither one was able to find the back of the cage. The saves from the Wesley goalkeeper prevented Etown from getting several more goals. A scramble in front of the Blue Jay goal created the opportunity for the opponents to score their one and only goal of the season, tying the game at 1-1 with around 10 minutes left of play.
Then, Etown turned up the offensive pressure. The Blue Jays had several shots on goal and with 5:54 remaining in the game, Hikes scored to make the score 2-1. Over the last 12 minutes of the game Etown kept up defensive pressure, as the opponents did not have a shot on goal. Senior goalkeeper Selene Jones only needed to make one save during the entire game.
The Blue Jays faced Catholic University in their first Landmark Conference competition. Last season, in non-conference play, the Blue Jays defeated the Cardinals, but they were not able to create the same outcome when they faced the ranked team this year.
“Playing in a conference game will add some pressure, but I think our games so far this season have prepared us enough to be successful,” senior Marissa Sneeringer said.
Unfortunately, the Blue Jays could not use the preparation of non-conference play to defeat their opponent. The Blue Jays got ahead early, as Aichele scored not even five minutes into the game. This lead did not last long, however, as the Cardinals responded with a goal from Kim Hermann two minutes after the Blue Jay goal. In the first half, the Cardinals outshot Etown 9-3 and in the second half, 10-1. The Cardinals also had the advantage with 13 penalty corners compared to two for the Blue Jays. Jones made four saves in the first half to keep the score tied at 1-1.
The final ten minutes of the game made the biggest difference for the competition. A Catholic penalty corner led to an Etown save, but the Cardinals responded and were able to score to start the lead for the opponents. Only three minutes later, the Cardinals came up with another goal to make the score 1-3. Despite the loss, Jones made eight saves in her first Landmark Conference appearance.
The Blue Jays will travel to Goucher on Saturday afternoon to play their second conference game this year.