MILLERSVILLE, Pa. – The Frostburg State Field Hockey team held on to their second quarter lead to take down Millersville on Saturday afternoon by a final score of 3-2.
Both teams saw a slow start to the game, battling for possession all through the first. Neither team saw a real chance at an offensive strike until 10 minutes into the game, when Millersville found themselves with a shot at goal that was blocked by Frostburg's defense. The Marauders received a penalty corner right after, where they sent in two shots on target, both being knocked away by junior goalkeeper Zoe Barnes. MU earned one more penalty corner to end the quarter, as FSU struggled to put their offense together, keeping the game scoreless heading into the second.
Just 30 seconds into the second quarter, the Marauders set up for a shot but put it just wide. Around three minutes later, Millersville was awarded a penalty corner, where they were able to slot home the first goal of the game for a 1-0 lead. During the midway mark, the Bobcats started to find their rhythm on offensive, pushing down field and picking up a penalty corner, sending sophomore Mikyla Rineer to insert. The ball found the stick of graduate Emilie Bonhivert after it was put into play, as Bonhivert then slid the ball to senior Ava Waddell for the tying score and a 1-1 game. With Frostburg rolling, senior Femke Hofkamp scored her first goal of the season just two minutes later, giving FSU the 2-1 edge. The Bobcats earned another penalty corner, as MU ripped one more shot, but neither team was able to add to their score, sending the game into the break with Frostburg on top 2-1.
Sophomore Ella Esham saw some time goal for the Bobcats to start the third quarter, as on the other end, Frostburg quickly found themselves with a penalty corner, this time having sophomore Emma Price take it. The same duo of Bonhivert and Waddell were able to do the same thing as last time, as the former fed Waddell for her second goal of the game and a 3-1 advantage for FSU. With around three minutes left in the third, junior Paige Leitzel saw her first try at goal on the day, being denied by MU's goalie. Senior Olivia Wenzel then set up a corner for Frostburg, as fellow senior Zoe Reading was able to get off a shot but was also sent away by the keeper. Millersville was able to spark for some offensive action on their end, receiving three corners and taking two shots, but were denied by Esham, and FSU's defense. With just minutes left in the quarter, the Bobcats put Barnes back in goal, and MU was able to connect on another goal to cut their deficit to one, sending the game into the fourth and final quarter with a 3-2 score.
With the game on the line, the Marauders tried the first attempt at goal to try and tie the game once more, firing away a shot off a penalty corner that was blocked by the Bobcats. Now under the 10-minute mark, Wenzel sent in an attempt that was also blocked. Frostburg did earn two corners after the shot, with Wenzel going to insert both, but FSU was unable to connect with any more chances at goal to increase their lead. After back and forth play by both teams, neither team was able to get off another shot, as the Bobcats were awarded one more penalty corner to finish out the game with possession, taking the 3-2 road victory.
Millersville held the advantage in shots, taking 10 with five being on target, while Frostburg sent in six with five also being on target. Barnes finished with a duo of saves in goal, while Esham made one.
With the win, Frostburg moves to 6-9 on the season, while Millersville falls to 7-8. The Bobcats stay on the road to face West Chester for their next contest on Tuesday, October 29 at 4 PM. For more information and updates, please visit frostburgsports.com.
