MANSFIELD, Pa. – The Frostburg State Field Hockey team dropped their opening PSAC game of the season on Saturday afternoon, falling to No. 10 Mansfield on the road by a final score of 2-0.
Frostburg got off to a chippy start, getting called for multiple fouls to open the game while trying to keep up with Mansfield's offense. The Mountains maneuvered around FSU's defense quickly, tacking on a goal in the first four minutes of play for a 1-0 lead. The Bobcat's took their first shot of the game around four minutes later, with sophomore Brianne Macchia getting denied by MU's goalie. With the ball still in Frostburg's possession, junior Paige Leitzel tried for a shot but sent it wide. The Mountaineers rallied for five shots to end the quarter, with junior Zoe Barnes picking up three saves, sending the game into the second quarter with Mansfield on top 1-0.
Leitzel ripped a shot at goal to kick off the second quarter but was denied by the keeper. MU continued their attack on their offensive end, slicing another try at a score, but sent it wide. FSU saw the ball in their offensive half for a strand of minutes, allowing sophomore Emma Price to send off two tries at a score, both unable to find the back of the net. Both teams continued to battle, not allowing either offense to get going. Each team's defense stepped up, as neither team saw another shot to end the quarter, keeping MU in the lead 1-0 at the half.
The Bobcat's saw the first piece of action on offense to start the third, earning their first penalty corner of the game, sending senior Olivia Wenzel to insert, Macchia was able to fire away at goal off the corner, sending her chance just wide. The Mountaineers saw their first opportunity at goal in the second half about six minutes in, with their shot being blocked. Both teams saw a slow next few minutes, before Leitzel set herself up again for a look at a score, again pushing her effort wide. After both teams pushed around the ball, graduate Emilie Bonhivert sent in the final shot of the quarter, with the ball going just wide, sending the game into the fourth with Mansfield still ahead 1-0.
MU came out hot on offense to start the fourth and final quarter, collecting back-to-back penalty corners and shots. Barnes stood in the way of both, racking up two more saves. The Bobcats regained possession, running down to their half with senior Zoe Reading leading the way and taking a try at goal, but was denied by the goalie. With time running out for Frostburg, Leitzel attempted to find the back of the cage once more, but again MU's goalie denied the shot. FSU was able to earn another corner, putting Wenzel back to insert, as she set up graduate Ashlyn Cave for a chance, but was unable to connect. Mansfield was able to pick up the ball, taking it down field to set up their attack that resulted in another score, as they advanced their lead to 2-0 with under four minutes to play. The Bobcats tried for wo more shots, with Barnes standing in the way of two more tries from MU, as the Mountaineers were able to come out on top 2-0.
Mansfield held the slight advantage in shots 15-13, while Barnes came out with seven saves on the day.
With the loss, Frostburg falls to 3-4 on the season, while Mansfield moves to 5-3. The Bobcats remain on the road for their next contest, as they travel to face East Stroudsburg on Thursday, October 3 at 3 PM. For more information and updates, please visit frostburgsports.com.
