Field Hockey | September 8, 2022
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The La Salle field hockey team looks to snap its two-game drought at Lehigh on Friday, Sep. 9. At 6 p.m. The Explorers will then play on their home turf for the first time this season on Sunday, September 11 at 12 p.m. against Rider. Both games will stream live on ESPN+.
The first 50 students in attendance at Sunday's game will be given a free La Salle Bucket Hat!
SCOUTING THE EXPLORERS:
- The Explorers enter the contest at 2-2 on the season after losing two-straight against Rutgers and LIU. The game marks the final of the a five-game road stint for La Salle who will finally get the change to play at home on Sunday, September 11 against Rider at 12 p.m.
- Momentum was slow for La Salle who totaled five corners in the first quarter, but was unable to convert. It was the Sharks who got on the board first using two of its five corners in the third and fourth frames to take a 2-0 lead into the final 15 minutes.
- Things finally shifted the Explorers' way with Sol Espona capitalizing on the 10th corner attempt to bring the Explorers' within one, 2-1. But, it was LIU who had the final say taking the 3-1 victory and handing La Salle its seconds-straight loss.
- Sofia Pla led La Salle's offensive efforts against the Sharks with a team-high four shots and three on goal.
- Ryan Curley proved her resiliency once again recording all 60 minutes in the cage making three saves on nine shots faced.
- Tatum Johnson continues to serve as the leading scorer for the Explorers. She has totaled seven points on three goals and one assist. The junior has fired off a total of 12 shots including a season high six at Bryant. She has also totaled nine shots on goal recording a season high of five at Bryant.
- Espona has totaled two of La Salle's eight goals this season while Cat McFadden, Samie Hackman and Pla have all totaled one each.
SCOUTING THE MOUNTAIN HAWKS:
- Lehigh enters the contest at 1-3 following a midwestern swing at Ball State and Ohio State. The Mountain Hawks earned their first victory of the season at Ball State, 3-1, but fell to No. 22 Ohio State the following afternoon, 4-0.
- The Mountain Hawks enter the match with three Patriot League weekly award winners: Sarah Bonthius (Offensive Player), Julia Gatelein (Defensive Player) and Kiki Mes (Rookie).
- Bonthius scored three of Lehigh's five goals this season including two of the three total against Ball State.
- Gatelein tallied her first goal of the year against Ball State. She fired off a season-high three shots in the game, placing all three on goal.
- Mes totaled one shot in the game against Ball State. She also started in the games at Ball State and Ohio State.
- Senior Maddie Kahn played all 240 minutes in goal this season and made 23 saves with a .622 save percentage.
SCOUTING THE BRONCS:
- Rider enters the contest at 2-1 on the season suffering its first loss of the season in a thrilling double-overtime match against Appalachian State on Sep. 2. Just two minutes into the second overtime App State controlled the ball for the sudden-victory goal.
- The Broncs have totaled nine goals this season recording four in its season-opener at Bellarmine and five against Colgate in the home opener. Rider has only let up three goals, one each game.
- Goalkeeper Kaitlyn Tomas earned her second-straight NEC Prime Performer honor. She recorded four saves to keep App State off the board through the first overtime period. She has totaled 12 saves on the season with a .800 save percentage.
- Valeria Perales is the leading scorer for the Broncs. She has tallied five of Rider's nine goals this season to lead the team in points with 10.
- Sierra Giuliano has recorded seven points this season with two goals and a team-high three assists.
- Abby Hartwell and Lyric Scott have also served as goal-scorers for the Broncs with one goal apiece. Scott's goal marked a game-winner.
