By Miguel Gonzalez
Sports Editor
The No. 6 nationally ranked field hockey team kept steamrolling its opponents this week. The team demolished Stevens Institute of Technology, 9-2, on Thursday, Sept. 7, and defeated Juniata College, 5-1, on Saturday, Sept. 9.
Junior forward Taylor Barrett wasted no time against the Stevens Ducks. In the fourth minute, Barrett navigated her way into the net after a penalty corner and scored with an assist from freshman forward Tori Tiefenthaler.
The Ducks tried to counter in two penalty corners, but senior goalkeeper Christina Fabiano deflected two shots.
The Lions were hungry for goals in the first half as they recorded 23 shots. In the 12th minute, sophomore forward Cayla Andrews scored off a pass from sophomore forward/midfielder Kayla Peterson.
In the following play, Peterson added to the Lions lead when she dribbled her way through Ducks defenders and flickered in the goal.
The Ducks briefly countered in the 25th minute and scored to decrease the Lions lead, 3-1. At the conclusion of the first half, the Lions pounded the Ducks offense and accumulated a 7-1 lead.
In the second half, the Lions offense cooled down while the defense maintained the Lions lead. The Ducks only added one more goal in the 43rd minute. In the midst, Fabiano had a strong performance at the net with five saves.
On Saturday, the field hockey team defeated Juniata College, 5-1. Tiefenthaler jumped the Lions to a quick start when she scored off a deflection from Eagles junior goalkeeper Jessica Gray. In the next play, Andrews added another goal to the Lions 2-0.
In the 5th minute, the Eagles cut the Lions lead to one goal when junior midfielder Meredith Shepard scored off an assist from senior forward Megan Martin. The Lions ultimately won the match, 5-1.
Tiefenthaler shined throughout the match as she scored two goals and recorded an assist. She currently has five goals this season. Within the first three matches of the season, the Lions have netted in 21 goals while conceding only four goals.
“The freshmen have been doing very well this year,” said senior forward Elizabeth Morrison. “They got through preseason well and are now an integral part of our team. Along with Tori, we have a few other freshmen that start and a lot of them sub in during games. Everyone on the team this year has a chance to play which makes practice competitive and fun.”
The team will be competing at home this week. On Tuesday, Sept. 12, the Lions will play against Drew University at Lions Stadium at 7:30 p.m.
The Rangers are currently looking for their first win of the season after losing in overtime against Keuka College, 2-1.
The Lions take on No. 1 ranked Messiah College on Saturday, Sept. 16, at Lions Stadium. The undefeated Falcons will be their biggest test of the season. The Falcons recently beat No. 3 Salisbury University 2-1 in overtime.
