PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – The La Salle field hockey team (1-1) found the back of the net three times in the second half and shutout Merrimack (0-2) in a 3-0 win in their home opener, their first victory under new head coach
Martu Loncarica
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Neither side found the back of the net in a defensive first half, as the teams entered halftime tied at 0-0.
- The Explorers tallied six shots in the opening 30 minutes, while not allowing a shot from the Warriors.
- Freshman Sofia Pla broke the ice for La Salle in the third quarter, firing a shot after freshman Grace Ferriolo stopped sophomore Tatum Johnson's penalty corner insert to give the Explorers a 1-0 lead at the 37:56 mark.
- Still tied early in the fourth quarter, Johnson doubled the La Salle lead with her first goal of the season at 46:07 mark to make it 2-0.
- Pla added her second goal of the half with under a minute to play, blasting home a shot at the top of the circle on a feed from Tori Wright to give La Salle a 3-0 lead.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- Pla has scored three times in her first two career games, good for the lead in the A10 conference at the end of the first weekend.
- Sophomore Ryan Curley (1-1) picked up her first career win and shutout in her third start, as she stopped the lone shot on goal by Merrimack.
- La Salle held the edge in shots, 14-2 and shots on goal, 8-1.
- Ferriolo notched an assist for the second-straight game, giving her two points through her first two collegiate games.
- With a goal and assist today, Johnson now ranks second on the team in points with five through two contests.
UP NEXT:
La Salle will continue their home slate on Friday, Sept. 3 when they host Bryant. Play will start at 3 p.m. at DeVincent field in Philadelphia, Pa.
