WINCHESTER, Va. – The #20
th Shenandoah University field hockey team got back to their winning ways and picked up their first win of the season behind a hat trick from
Cassidy Morrison. The Hornets (1-1) defeated DePauw University (0-2) by a score of 3-1. The Hornets completely dominated possession, shots, and corners.
Taylor Swann got the start in the cage for the Hornets and made two saves, while only allowing one goal, picking up her first victory of the year. Shenandoah was led by Morrison's three goals, while
Farren Winter added a pair of assists, with
Kaitlyn Nakamura and
Madison Short being credited for the other assists. Morrison led all players with nine shots, with Camyrn DeLeva,
Mairead McKibbin, and
Elizabeth Ranberger peppering the Tiger keepers with shots as well. The Hornet midfield and defenders did a phenomenal job of only giving up three shots and the one goal.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
From the start, it was all Shenandoah. After the opening whistle, the Hornets quickly stole the ball and on their first possession earned a penalty corner. Shenandoah was able to fire off three shots but was not able to find the back of the cage. DePauw struggled to get the ball across midfield as the Hornet midfielders were relentless. As the Hornets continued to apply pressure forcing turnovers,
Cassidy Morrison fired two shots that led to a penalty corner.
Madison Short got the play started, passing to
Farren Winter at the top of the circle who fired a shot toward the net to a waiting Morrison for the first goal of the game. After Ranberger's shot was blocked, DePauw went sprinting down the field for the best opportunity of the quarter, but
Taylor Swann played the ball perfectly leaving her cage to make a sliding save.
In the second, the Hornets continued the attack firing shots and peppering the goalie, Morrison connected on her second goal of the game, this time with an assist from
Elizabeth Ranberger. About two minutes later, after the Hornets earned another penalty corner, Short found Winter at the top of the circle and this time Winter ripped a shot that
Kaitlyn Nakamura deflected but again, Morrison was in the right spot on the back post as she found the back of the cage for the hat trick. Shenandoah took a comfortable 3-0 lead into the break.
The Tigers went to a new keeper to start the second half, and even though the Hornets got nine shots off, the score remained 3-0 heading to the final quarter. In the fourth, the Hornet pressure continued to be relentless, but shots were not finding the back of the cage. The Tigers used a change in momentum and while trying to generate some offense, got two shots off and on the second, with a scrum in front of Swann, DePauw picked up their first goal of the season. Shenandoah quickly ended that threat as they killed the final four minutes of play to secure their first victory of the 2024 season.
UP NEXT:
The Hornets remain at home as they will welcome Gettysburg to Winchester on Wednesday evening for a midweek, nonconference game. That game will start at 7 pm.
#GoSUHornets
