ANNVILLE, Pa. – The Shenandoah University field hockey team advances to its first-ever ECAC Field Hockey Championship with a 4-1 semi-final round win over Alvernia Saturday afternoon.

No. 2 Shenandoah (16-4) came out with a vengeance in the second quarter, scoring three goals, after being held scoreless on five shots in the first quarter. 

No. 3 Alvernia (11-10) was unable to comeback from the three-goal deficit, scoring one and conceding one goal in the final stanza. 

The 16th win set a program record for wins in a season. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

SU 18:37 | Senior Taylor Hayes sent a long ball up the middle to classmate Natalie Fyock where she corralled the ball in front and found the back of the net.

SU 20:17 | Lauren Tyre picked up a loose ball in front of the goal and tapped it in past the goalie. 

SU 28:06 | Sarah Stillabower scored an unassisted goal at the end of the quarter to put the Hornets up 3-0 heading into halftime. 

AU 47:32 | Madison Potthoff sent a high-ball over the defense off a Brooke Spezialetti corner play. 

SU 55:07 | Tyre found Hayes with five minutes remaining in the game with a rocket past the defense. 

QUOTES FROM COACH

"I am so proud of this group of seniors for yet again setting a new program record for wins. They have laid the foundation of success for Shenandoah Field Hockey. We are excited to have another chance to play together tomorrow!" -Head Coach Ashley Smeltzer-Kraft

MATCH NOTES

• Shenandoah outshot Alvernia 16-11 with 10 shots on goal. 
• The two teams split 20 penalty corner opportunities
• Isabella Morande made three stops in the contest
• The Hornets will take on host No. 1 Lebanon Valley at noon tomorrow in the ECAC Championship.  

ABOUT THE ECAC

The ECAC (Eastern College Athletic Conference) is an eighty-two-year-old organization with well over 200 member schools across all three NCAA Divisions - I, II and III. The ECAC exists to enhance the experience of student-athletes participating in intercollegiate athletics and provides great value for universities and colleges by sponsoring championships, leagues, bowl games, tournaments and other competitions throughout the Northeast. The ECAC's esports platform is growing and now totals more than sixty colleges and universities and is expanding the geographic footprint for the conference nationally. The ECAC is also sponsoring competitions and leagues involving other varsity and club sports that do not fall under the umbrella of the NCAA.