LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The Lock Haven field hockey team (6-0, 1-0 A-10) opened Atlantic 10 Conference (A-10) play this afternoon with a thrilling 2-1 (shootout) victory over visiting La Salle (3-4, 0-1 A-10).
 
The Bald Eagles secured the win and improved to a perfect 6-0 on the season with a dominating 4-1 advantage in the shootout.
 
Today's contest marked The Haven's fifth straight home game and with the win, Lock Haven improved to 5-0 at home on Charlotte Smith Field. The Bald Eagles also moved to 3-0 when games extend past regulation.
 
The 6-0 start for the Bald Eagles is the program's best since 2015, when the team opened that season at 6-0.
 
After a scoreless first half, Lock Haven found itself trailing 1-0 after La Salle's Cat McFadden scored in the 36^th minute.
 
The Bald Eagles tilted the field late and the pressure paid off on a penalty corner play with 4:42 left in regulation. Jazmin Palma (Entre Rios Providence Argentina/Colegio Sagrado Corazon de Jesus) drilled home a pass from Brooke Hofsass (Hershey, Pa./Lower Dauphin) and tied the match 1-1.

FH: WE'RE HEADED TO OVERTIME ??

Lock Haven ties it up in the fourth on their 18th penalty corner with a goal by Jazmin Palma and the assist by Brooke Hofsass?? pic.twitter.com/AGy7iDfsSl

— Haven Athletics ?? (@HavenAthletics) September 16, 2022

Both teams had chances in overtime as the fast-paced action thrilled the large Homecoming-Friday crowd.
 
Neither team could crack the scoreboard in extra time, thanks in large part to some strong defensive play. Lock Haven goalkeeper Kelsey Felix (Hallam, Pa./Eastern York) was credited with three saves on the day, but she was also brilliant in the shootout. La Salle goalkeeper Ryan Curley made seven saves over the course of the match.
 
Amy Stevens (Castle Creek, N.Y./Whitney Point) and Anna May Barbusca (Lancaster, Pa./Penn Manor) turned in notable individual efforts, and Ellie Mead (Chesterfield, Va./Cosby (Coker)) put in another strong effort in leading the defensive unit for Lock Haven.
 
Mead, Martina Spangenberg (Buenos Aries, Argentina/Piaget), Palma and Stevens all converted on their shootout chances as Lock Haven dominated. For Lock Haven, Felix was outstanding and made two key saves on La Salle's first two chances of the shootout.

HAVEN WINS IN SHOOTOUT??
STILL UNDEFEATED ??
HOMECOMING WIN ??

Shootout goals by Mead, Spangenberg, Palma, and this one by Stevens to end it as @LHUFieldHockey gets the win in their conference opener, 2-1 ?? pic.twitter.com/FTAiLE267C

— Haven Athletics ?? (@HavenAthletics) September 16, 2022

Lock Haven will be right back in action on Sunday when the Bald Eagles close a six-game homestand and cap Homecoming Weekend 2022. Sunday's (Sept. 18), non-conference match with Rider is set for a 12 p.m. start.