PHILADELPHIA – Explorers field hockey returned home to Philadelphia competing in their first home match of the young season and came out on top 4-1 over Queens University. La Salle now sits at 2-0 after the first weekend of play.
 
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HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Explorers came out of the gate firing on a struggling Queens team, securing the first goal of the game at the 6:32 mark in the first quarter.
• The goal was a familiar duo in Shea Burns and Zhao Rodrigo. Burns took in the pass from Rodrigo and buried it into the back of the cage.
• Not two minutes later, the Explorers were on the doorstep of another goal. A drive in the half-circle by La Salle drew the Queens goalie out of her spot causing her to foul, which led to a penalty shot.
• Sofia Pla took the shot, and connected for her first goal of 2024.
• Entering the second, the Explorer defense remained strong, only allowing one shot to this point.
• Throughout the second frame, the offensive pressure was consistent for La Salle, but nothing converted to a goal. The Explorers had six corner opportunities within the second.
• The third quarter was mainly controlled by La Salle; however, their chances did not result in goals. The lone goal in the third came from the Royals. Six minutes into the frame, Jarmille Richter had a penalty shot opportunity, and she took advantage of it bringing Queens within one.
• La Salle continued to have scoring opportunities in the third having eight corner attempts opposite to the one by Queens.
• After a goal for the Explorers was wiper off the board due to the shot being too high, the Explorers came back immediately in the fourth and converted.
• Malena Balduzzi took in the corner pass, who then fired a shot on goal, and deflected off of Rodrigo and into the back of the cage. La Salle now led 3-1.
• The final goal for the Explorers came with only 20 seconds remaining in the game. Sophomore Darian DeLeo drove into the half-circle, found Gabby LaCroix opposite of her, who put it past the goalie.

 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• The Explorer have two people sitting atop the scoring leader board for the team, being Zhao Rodrigo and Shea Burns. Each have scored two goals, one in each game this season.
• Gabby LaCroix notched her first goal of her career in today's game, while Darian DeLeo tallied her first career point on the assist.
• The La Salle offense was firing off shots consistently throughout the game, ending the contest with 31 total. Matilda Diedrichsen led the way with 11 shots of her own.
• La Salle ended the day with 22 corner attempts, opposite the two from Queens.

 
UP NEXT:

• La Salle will get back on the road for a meeting with Bryant next Friday, Sept. 6 at 3:00 p.m.