PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – The Lock Haven University field hockey team (7-1, 1-1 A-10) dropped a road clash with No. 12 Saint Joseph's University (5-3, 2-0 A-10), 2-0, in an Atlantic 10 (A-10) Conference contest on Friday afternoon.
Heading into Friday's contest with nationally-ranked (No. 12) Saint Joseph's, the Bald Eagles were a perfect 7-0. It was the team's best start since 2004 and just their second 7-0 start since returning to fulltime NCAA Division I play.
In the opening period, Lock Haven absorbed the Hawks pressure and despite Saint Joseph's sustained possession they remained stout defensively and held the game scoreless after the opening 15 minutes.
Midway through the second period, the Hawks pressure paid off as Celeste Smits broke the deadlock after deflecting home a penalty corner. It was one of six shots in the opening half as Saint Joseph's took a 1-0 lead into the break.
Saint Joseph's went on to tack on another goal in the third quarter from another deflected corner as they pulled away to a 2-0 lead. That score held until the final whistle as the Hawks notched the conference win.
In goal,
Kelsey Felix (Hallam, Pa./Eastern York) faced 17 Saint Joseph's shots and made five saves as the Hawks pressed The Haven looking for more goals.
Jazmin Palma (Entre Rios Providence Argentina/Colegio Sagrado Corazon de Jesus) and
Ellie Mead (Chesterfield, Va./Cosby (Coker)) did all they could defensively to keep the Bald Eagles in the game, but the Saint Joseph's defense was stifling as well and kept LHU scoreless on the day.
Up Next:
The Haven returns home on Sunday (Sept. 25) when they host Saint Francis in non-conference action. That game is slated for a 1 p.m. start.
