CUA Field Hockey Picks Up Two Big Wins in Season Openers
Erin Alburtus, Tower Staff
September 8, 2011
Filed under Sports
The Catholic University field hockey team started their season off with two wins this past weekend, defeating both opponents 3-1.
On September 2nd, the team beat Washington & Lee in their home opener with freshman Maura Campbell, senior Tracey Scanlon, and freshman Rebecca Lukaszczyk scoring the first goals of the season.
Rebecca Lukaszczyk was the first to score a goal, doing so with just a little over three minutes left in the first half. Seven minutes into the second half Scanlon had Catholic’s second goal of the game, bringing the score to 2-0 with the Cards on top. Campbell had a goal just 13 minutes later bringing the score to 3-0.
The Cardinals outshot the Washington & Lee Generals 28-2, with 17 penalty corners awarded, while the Generals were awarded zero. CUA goalkeeper Allison Dillard did not record any saves, while Washington & Lee’s keeper Kirsten Kyne was challenged with 21 recorded saves.
The girls also took on Randolph-Macon at home on September 4th, ending in a score of 3-1. Colleen Harwood, Kim Hermann, and Ellie Banholzer, all of whom are freshmen, scored for the Cardinals in their second win of the season.
The Cardinals outshot the Yellow Jackets 40-4 and carried out 34 penalty corners, to just one from the opposing side.
CUA scored all three of their goals in the first half, the third from Ellie Banholzer with no time remaining on the clock.
With just 12 minutes left in the second half, the Yellow Jackets scored their first and only goal, but the Cardinals tightened up their defense to win the game.
“The team is really meshing well on the field, and although we have 14 freshmen you wouldn’t know that by the way they have been playing,” exclaimed Senior Captain, Scanlon.
As the game progressed, Randolph-Macon became less technical, and more physical, but this did not stop the Cardinals from playing their game.
“Randolph Macon started to shut down, and became physical, but we answered back staying strong, and earned another W for the season,” commented Scanlon.
Head coach Gia Cillizza is going in with a positive for the new season. With a program record of 17 wins last season, Cillizza has high hopes to continue the team’s winning tradition.
“I am pleased with our start and think we have a lot of things going for us this year,” she said.
Senior captain Mary Swarthout is looking for revenge from their long-term rivals, the Juniata Eagles, and has high hopes for the girls this season.
“Our plan is to win the landmark championship and go to the NCAA tournament,” Swarthout said.
“There are many new faces who have added a boost of energy and enthusiasm to the returners’ intensity and strong work ethic. We are excited about the season,” said Cillizza.
“This is going to be an amazing season and we’re looking for that Landmark Championship,” commented Scanlon.
Their next game is this Saturday, September 10th at Elizabethtown. The game begins at 1pm.
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