MANSFIELD, Pa. – The Frostburg State field hockey team defeated Roberts Wesleyan in dominant fashion 5-0 during their neutral site match-up hosted by Mansfield.
From the opening whistle, FSU wasted no time in showing their attacking intent, as sophomore Ava Shorkey and senior Sofia Boyle both have shots blocked in the first three minutes. Just 30 seconds later, freshman Elijha Hella-Myers had an interception at midfield, with the ball eventually finding Shorkey in the box, putting it into the path of sophomore Caroline Earnshaw to deflect home the opening score.
The Bobcats continued to pressure the Redhawks' back line, with senior Avery Hayden and sophomore Makenna Buffington both firing just wide of the mark, then freshman Alayna Enoff ripped a shot off a corner that drew a kick save from keeper Avery Richardson. With 90 seconds left in the frame, freshman Izzy Gibbons took advantage of an RWU giveaway and played senior Mikyla Rineer through on goal, as she was brought down by the last defender to earn a penalty stroke.After picking herself up off the ground, Rineer held steady and beat Richardson to the left side of the goal for a 2-0 first quarter lead.
The second quarter would start like the opener, with Frostburg on the attack, as Rineer had an effort blocked and another go wide, then sophomore Kenzie Cummins and Shorkey both drew saves from Richardson. The Redhawks were able to better settle defensively through the final 10 minutes of the frame, as FSU's only remaining shot came through Earnshaw trying to net another deflection goal but seeing Richardson in the way, keeping the two-goal margin at the half.
Roberts Wesleyan would come out of the break with some renewed energy, putting one shot wide before drawing a penalty corner, where Cummins did well to get out quickly and block the incoming effort. The Bobcats went back in control from that point, as Shorkey continued to be a threat with a shot wide, another block, and a third saved by Richardson. 10 minutes into the quarter, Gibbons made a great defensive play to kick off a counter, as she made her way down field before finding Buffington to finish home a 3-0 lead. Still looking for more, Buffington and sophomore Brooke Saul had chances in the final couple minutes but both fired wide.
Continuing their attacking prowess, Rineer saw a shot blocked while Gibbons drew a save from new netminder Amber Morgado before a corner was awarded. Senior Morgan Sparks inserted the ball to classmate Bri Macchia, who passed across to junior Taylor Korczynski to find Sparks at the back post for a 4-0 advantage. Rineer and Gibbons then drew back-to-back saves out of Morgado, with the latter also sending an effort just wide of the mark. Still looking to get herself on the board, Gibbons had a shot blocked and another go at Morgado, then Hayden made an interception high up the field, putting the ball to the top of the arc where Gibbons finally got her score with a deflection that snuck inside the post for the fifth and final of the day.
The Bobcats took a total of 33 shots with 17 of them on target, while limiting RWU to just three efforts, none of which were on goal.
With the win, Frostburg moves to 5-6 on the year, while the Redhawks drop to 5-5. The Bobcats are on the road again Friday, October 16 as they travel to play Millersville at 3 PM. For more information, please visit frostburgsports.com.
