LHU field hockey upsets UMass 2-1 (2OT) in home-opener
LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The Bald Eagles benefitted from nine saves from goalkeeper Joaquina Orlandini (Concordia, Argentina/San Antonio School) and they scored with 6:05 left in double-overtime as the Lock Haven University field hockey team (2-0, 2-0 A-10) secured a thrilling 2-1 upset-win over No. 20 Massachusetts (4-2, 0-1 A-10) Thursday at home on Charlotte Smith Field.
The result marked a huge win for Lock Haven, who was playing at home for the first time since the fall 2019 season. The victory was the first for LHU over UMass since the 2015 season and just the second Lock Haven win over the Minutewomen in school history.
With the victory, LHU moved to a perfect 2-0, with both wins this spring coming vs. Atlantic 10 Conference (A-10) opponents. UMass is now 4-2 (0-1 A10).
Lock Haven and Massachusetts traded goals in the opening quarter. The visitors took the 1-0 lead just over three minutes in, but Lock Haven tied the match at 1-1 in the ninth minute of play on a goal from Amy Stevens (Castle Creek, N.Y./Whitney Point). Tia Judy (East Prospect, Pa./Eastern York) was credited with the assist on the goal.
After the two-goal first quarter, neither team could find the back of the cage during the remainder of regulation. With 6:05 left in the second OT period, Lock Haven found the game winner, thanks to a strong individual effort from Martina Spengenberg (Buenos Aries, Argentina/Piaget School). She made a long run into the circle and sent a shot to the far post that slipped in for the winner.
UMass held an advantage in shots and corners, but the Bald Eagle defense – particularly the penalty corner defense – was up to the task all game long.
Leading the way on the defense was the aforementioned Judy, Karina Long (Hummelstown, Pa./Lower Dauphin) and Niamh Sexton (Fermoy, Ireland/Loreto Secondary School Fermoy). Jazmin Palma (Entre Rios Province, Argentina/Colegio Sagrado Corazon de Jesus) also played well for the Bald Eagles in the winning effort.
Up next:
A reminder, Sunday’s (March 28) home game with Saint Joseph’s has been postponed. LHU will return to action on Friday, April 2 at 3 p.m. when the Bald Eagles host Towson in non-conference action. Lock Haven will host UMass again on Saturday, April 3 as well.
Celebrating a 75th anniversary:
During this special 2021 spring season, the LHU field hockey program is celebrating a milestone anniversary. The 2020-21 season marks the 75th anniversary of the first field hockey season back in 1945-46. The Bald Eagles first official varsity season came during the fall of 1945. The first varsity contest in program history came on October 20, 1945 and resulted in a victory. Since that first win, many more have followed, to go along with a number of other prestigious honors, including 69 winning seasons, 15 conference championships and seven national titles.
