SELINSGROVE, (Pa.) – The Susquehanna University field hockey team is still ninth in the latest STX/National Field Hockey Coaches Association Division III national poll, receiving 350 points from NFHCA member coaches.
Under 25th-year head coach Connie Harnum (161-134-22), the Crusaders clinched their first Middle Atlantic Conference playoff berth since 1993 on Saturday with their 3-1 win over Commonwealth Conference rival Moravian, coupled with Widener's 2-1 upset of Messiah. Now 12-1 overall, 5-1 in the conference going into today's Commonwealth finale at Juniata, Susquehanna has clinched second-place and will play at Freedom Conference champion Wilkes (10-5) in a MAC semifinal next Wednesday, October 27, at 3 p.m. The Crusaders scored 2-0 win at Wilkes last Tuesday, part of their current five-game winning streak.
The Crusaders will play their regular-season home finale Thursday, October 21, at 3:30 p.m. vs. non-conference foe Muhlenberg (8-5). They also have a non-conference game at York (9-3) Saturday at noon. Wins in all three games this week will give this year's team the school record for wins in season (Record: 14-5, 1993).
Sophomore goalkeeper Kylie Cook (Huntingdon/Huntingdon Area H.S.) has taken over the MAC Commonwealth Conference lead in both goals-against average at 0.63, and save percentage at .899. Cook, who was never a goalkeeper before last season, has made 62 saves and surrendered just seven goals this season.
The team's only two senior starters have led the defense in front of Cook. Tri-captain Amanda Reigle (Middleburg/Middleburg H.S.) is a four-year starter who has started all 65 games in her career. Taryn Moser (Lewistown/Lewistown H.S.) has been a starter both seasons since electing to come out for the team last year.
Freshmen Leah Bailor (Richfield/Middleburg H.S.) and Katie McKeever (Worcester/ Methacton H.S.) continue to lead the offense.
A 1998 all-state selection, Bailor has regained the Commonwealth Conference scoring lead – now with 10 goals and six assists for 26 points (2.00 per game). She also leads the conference in assists per game (0.46) and is second in goals (0.77 per game).
McKeever has nine goals and an assist for 19 points and is third in both conference scoring (1.46 points per game) and goals per game (0.69).
Junior tri-captains Ali Hughes (Reading/Muhlenberg H.S.) and Danielle Wenger (Hamburg/Hamburg Area H.S.) are tied for second both on the team and in the conference in assists with five (0.38 per game). They are also both tied for the school record for career assists with 13 apiece. Hughes also has two goals for nine points (0.69 points per game) this season, while Wenger has a goal for seven points (0.54 points per game).
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