Gettysburg field hockey passes the test vs. Susquehannock

In a clash of YAIAA Division II unbeaten Warriors, Gettysburg came out on top, defeating Susquehannock, 4-2, on a rainy Monday afternoon.

Elena Montenegro led the way with a pair of goals as the homestanding Warriors passed their first big test of the year.

"(Susquehannock) is a big, fast, strong team, and they tested us in every facet, which is good for us," Gettysburg head coach Janelle Ebaugh said. "The girls have been asking over and over again for us to get strong competition, Susquehannock was that today for us."

Gettysburg, which outscored its first five opponents 52-3, didn't take long to open up the lead, as Montenegro scored 4:30 into the contest.

But Susquehannock answered just over four minutes later.

Emily Houska found space down the left wing and dribbled the ball into the shooting circle. From the left of the goal, she fired a shot that was stopped by the tandem of goalkeeper Judy Neemeyer and sweeper Joanna Suarez.

The ball bounced free in front of the goalie and Houska raced in and chopped the ball into the netting just above the woodwork.

"(Our girls) read the papers and they know Gettysburg is supposed to be creaming everybody," Susquehannock head coach Sharon McLaughlin said. "We stepped up and we matched them."

Undaunted, Gettysburg pushed the attack into Susquehannock's end several times before Kailey Mixell found gold on the rush.

At the top of the circle, Montenegro ripped a strike to the pads of goalie Kristi Langhans.

Mixell navigated the area in front of goal and cut between defenders on either side to reach the loose rebound. She turned her stick over and poked the ball into the goal from her left.

"Our entire season outlook has always been to score more," Ebaugh said. "We don't worry about a defensive breakdown. With some games on turf and fast teams, we know we are going to get scored on sometimes."

With 1:53 left in the first half, Montenegro swiped home the rebound of Mixell's shot the was deflected down by the defense.

Houska scored with 18:27 left to make it 3-2, tapping the ball in after Camryn Burk carried it to the middle of the circle.

Megan Miller blasted the insurance goal home for Gettysburg from a sharp left angle.

Gettysburg 4, Susquehannock 2

Susquehannock11—2Gettysburg31—4

First half — 1. Elena Montenegro, Get (Madi Hirneisen), 4:30. 2. Emily Houska, Sus, 8:43. 3. Kailey Mixell, Get, 12:03. 4. Montenegro (Mixell), 28:07.

Second half — 5. Houska (Camryn Burk), 11:33. 6. Megan Miller, Get, 16:07.

Shots — Get 11, Sus 6.

Corners — Get 10, Sus 6

Goalies — Sus, Kristi Langhans (7 saves. Get, Judy Neemeyer (4 saves).