FROSTBURG, Md. – The Frostburg State Field Hockey team defeated Mercyhurst in their home opener, by a score of 5-0 on Tuesday evening.
Frostburg wasted no time, taking three quick shots at goal early on, with sophomore Paige Leitzel finding the back of the cage on the Bobcats fourth shot, off a pass from junior Macy Layfield. After the teams traded multiple fouls, FSU earned themselves a penalty corner, but were unable to make anything of it. The Lakers finally had a chance at goal taking their first shot of the day with just over a minute left in the first quarter, with sophomore Zoe Barnes earning her first save, and keeping the game 1-0 in favor of Frostburg.
Mercyhurst started the second quarter off with two penalty corners and a shot, but were unable to get anything going. Both teams traded fouls, along with a penalty corner each, before the Bobcats added to their lead on a goal from senior Emilie Bonhivert, with the assist being credited to junior Femke Hofkamp. Just over three minutes later, Frostburg added to their lead once more, as senior Ashlyn Cave found Hofkamp to bring the game to 3-0. The Lakers finished the quarter with three straight shots, all being saved by Barnes, keeping the Bobcats lead heading into the half.
Not a minute into the third quarter, Frostburg struck again, as Leitzel knotted her second goal of the day for a 4-0 Bobcat lead. Mercyhurst was able to push for back-to-back shots, as Barnes was not letting anything past her, earning two more saves herself. Bonhivert found herself with a shot, but was blocked by a Lakers defender. Both teams continued to make a run at goal, with Mercyhurst earning another penalty corner and another shot, but another save from Barnes kept the Lakers scoreless heading into the fourth.
FSU opened the fourth firing another one at goal, but was blocked by a Mercyhurst defender. Frostburg showed no sign of slowing down, keeping the ball in their offensive half. The Bobcats earned two more penalty corners, looking to continue adding to their lead, but were unable to get anything going. With the ball still in their offensive half after the penalty corners, Frostburg fired three straight shots, all being saved by the Lakers goalie. Finding themselves with another penalty corner, FSU found two more tries at goal, all being saved as well. With their third straight penalty corner, the Bobcats were able to capitalize, as freshman Brianne Macchia found fellow freshman Gracie Daniels, who was able to sneak the ball past the goalie and into the cage for a 5-0 score. Mercyhurst's frustration started to show, as they earned two green cards with time winding down, as Frostburg came out on top 5-0.
With the win, FSU improves to 4-1 on the season, while Mercyhurst falls to 2-3. The Bobcats will remain home, as they host Indiana (Pa.) at 6 PM on Friday, September 15. For more information and updates, please visit frostburgsports.com.
