NEW HAVEN, Conn. (October 13, 2024) – On Friday afternoon, the Sacred Heart University field hockey team let a second-half lead get away in a 2-1 (OT) loss at Wagner. On Sunday, the Pioneers had a two-goal lead evaporate in the third quarter. This time though, SHU bounced back.
Hannah Fawle (Collaroy, Australia) deflected home the game-winner early in the fourth quarter, as Sacred Heart pulled out a 3-2 non-conference victory over Towson at Johnson Field.
SHU (5-8) struck twice in the first half to open up a 2-0 lead. In the ninth minute,
Holly DeAngelo (Harrisburg, Pa.) got on a loose ball out front and put it away for her first collegiate goal. In the 25
th minute, the Pioneers cashed in on a corner opportunity, after
Abby Lauer (Hummelstown, Pa.) inserted to
Emma Brayford (Breiningsville, Pa.) on the left side. Brayford teed up a drive and hammered it all the way to the backboard of the cage for her third goal of the season.
Towson (5-8) battled back after halftime, with a pair in the third quarter to level the game at 2-2. In the 38
th minute, the Tigers converted a corner of their own, as Olivia Handelong inserted to Shannon Quaile, who blasted home her second of the year. In the 43
rd minute, it was Fiene Valkenburg on the finish for her second of the campaign.
The game went to the fourth quarter tied up, but would not stay that way for long. SHU used a corner in the first minute of the final period to put away what would stand as the game-winning goal.
Amelia Pellegrini (Wallingford, Pa.) inserted this time, to the top of the circle for
Jaden Ray (Shrub Oak, N.Y.). Ray stopped the ball for Brayford, who took a drive from there. Fawle got her stick to the ball en route and tipped it home for her second of the year.
SHU would concede just one shot the rest of the way, which was blocked by the defense before it ever got to goal.
Brianna Cooper (Watertown, Mass.) made her first start of the year in front of the SHU cage and made three saves against five shots to pick up the win (1-0). Tessa Scheenstra (5-8) made four stops against seven shots in defeat for Towson.
SHU will play a pair of Northeast Conference games at home next weekend, and really needs a win in at least one of them to preserve its postseason hopes. The Pioneers will host Fairfield on Friday at 7 p.m. and Rider on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. at Johnson Field. SHU will celebrate Senior Day prior to Sunday's game.