SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Rookie
Kendall Kreider scored twice, including the game winner just 28 seconds into the game, and the La Salle field hockey squad held on for a 4-3 nonconference win at Missouri State on Sunday afternoon.
Colleen Kempf and
Devin Muracco added goals in the win, which capped off a 2-0 weekend in the state of Missouri for the Explorers.
The Explorers improve to 8-6 overall, while Missouri State drops to 3-13.
Kreider's game-winning goal just 28 seconds in came on a breakaway after the opening tip.
Sophie Lozowski picked up the ball and sent it to Kreider, who ran it down the right side of the field and beat Missouri State goalkeeper Megan Drew for the early score.
Kempf added her third goal of the weekend in the 20th minute to send the Explorers up 2-0. She took a pass from
Emily Vasey at the top of the circle and deflected the ball into the cage.
Kreider put the Explorers up 3-0 just a few minutes before halftime. She took a cross from
Eileen Dzwill in front of the cage and drained her team-leading sixth goal of the season.
The Bears got one back shortly after halftime, with Holly Scherer scoring the first of her two goals at 38:13. She scored again four minutes later to cut the La Salle lead to 3-2.
Muracco gave the Explorers some breathing space about two and a half minutes later, taking a pass from
Abbey Lawrence and scoring on a breakaway at 44:52.
MSU's Jackie Eskue slapped a goal in at 59:52 for what proved to be the final 4-3 score.
Rachel Hartman earned the win in goal, making six saves. Freshman
Brittany Paschall made her collegiate debut today, playing just shy of 17 minutes and making two saves. Drew played all 70 minutes for the Bears, recording six saves in the effort.
Missouri State edged the Explorers 18-17 on shots, and earned seven penalty corners to the Explorers' three.
The Explorers wrap up the home portion of their schedule next weekend, looking to extend their 5-0 home record this season. They host Massachusetts on Friday at 3 pm, and nonconference opponent Bryant on Sunday at noon.
