Field Hockey Prepared for Playoff Run
The Dickinson College Field Hockey team split their two games this week, moving their overall record to 12-4. After defeating Goucher on Wednesday, Oct. 23, they lost to number 6 nationally-ranked Franklin and Marshall on Saturday, Oct. 26.
Against visiting Goucher, the Devils were able to provide a dominating 4-0 win in their final non-conference game to improve to 12-3 on the season. Erica Marshall ’17 led the offensive effort with her first collegiate hat trick. Hitting the back of the cage twice in a one minute and twenty-four second span, she gave the Red Devils a 2-0 lead just twelve minutes into the competition. Julia Applegate ’14 would go on to net her fourth goal of the season to make it 3-0 in the first half after she finished on an assist from Merritt Davis ‘17, who leads the team in assists.
The Red Devils dominated the game offensively, but the Goucher Gophers settled in and were able to turn away any additional scoring in the first half. Dickinson launched 29 shots in the opening 35 minutes of the game. Goalie Katy Schlechtweg ’14 turned away four shots in the game and Emily Fuss ‘16 completed the shutout, saving one shot over the final 12 minutes of play. To cap off the scoring for the game, Jenny Davis ’17 sent a long ball into the circle that was finished by Marshall to complete the hat trick. Marshall has tallied the second most goals so far this season; registering 11 thus far. The Red Devils outshot the Gophers 52-11 and held the advantage in corners as well, forcing 11 and allowing 8.
Dickinson knew that travelling to nationally-ranked Franklin and Marshall would be one of their toughest games of the season. The Diplomats were able to strike twice on the visiting Red Devils in the first half as they gained their fifteenth win of the season and their ninth straight win in the Centennial Conference. The majority of the game was fought in the middle of field as both teams were evenly matched both in skill and competitive drive. After falling to a 3-0 deficit, Ali Becker ’15 was able to spoil the shutout late in the game as she fired a shot from the top left of the circle.
In total, the Diplomats held the advantage in the shots leading 13-9, but, the Red Devils held the 11-8 advantage on penalty corners. Schlechtweg made five saves on the day as the Devils dropped to 12-4 overall and 7-2 in the Centennial Conference.
Dickinson will close out their regular season schedule at Gettysburg College on Saturday, Nov. 2 at 1:00 p.m.