PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – The La Salle field hockey team (2-1) made it two wins in a row, as
Sofia Pla and
Tatum Johnson each struck twice in a 4-2 over Bryant (0-3) to improve to 2-0 on Hank DeVincent Field.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Reigning Atlantic 10 Conference Rookie of the Week Sofia Pla asserted herself early one again, burying a penalty stroke at the 10:01 mark to give the Explorers an early 1-0 edge.
- Sophomore Tatum Johnson quickly doubled that lead, scoring just 1:51 after Pla to give La Salle a 2-0 lead in the first.
- The Bulldogs responded before the end of the period, as Chloe Tilley dove to finish a shot in the circle and cut the La Salle lead to 2-1.
- Bryant struck again halfway through the third quarter to tie the game, as Taryn Rauff buried a penalty corner shot on a feed from Lotte Guitink to level the score at 2-2.
- La Salle quickly jumped back in front, as Pla blasted home her second of the game at the 38:24 mark to retake the lead for the Explorers, 3-2.
- Johnson again quickly followed Pla's score with her second of the game, deflecting a pass from junior Casey Reilly into the back of the net for a 4-2 lead at the 40:32 mark.
- The Explorer defense did the rest, holding off the Bulldogs to earn their second-consecutive win.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- Pla has now scored an eye-opening five goals in her first three collegiate games, good for first in the A10. She also ranks first in game-winning goals (2) and shots (16).
- Sophomore Ryan Curley (2-1) picked up the win for a second-consecutive start, making five saves in the win.
- As a team, the Explorers are averaging three goals per game through three contests, outscoring their opponents 9-5.
- With four points on Friday, Johnson now ranks second on the team with eight points, trailing just Pla's 10.
- Freshman Laura McCann picked up her first career point, while Samie Hackman tallied her first point of the season.
- La Salle held the edge in shots, 22-14 as well as in penalty corners, 10-6.
UP NEXT:
With their two-game homestand complete, the Explorers will head to Philadelphia-neighbor Drexel on Sunday, Sept. 5 at 12 p.m.