CHESTERTOWN — Washington took more shots, had more penalty corner opportunities and possessed the ball longer, but that was not reflected on the scoreboard.
The visitors from Susquehanna scored twice in the opening quarter and held on for a 2-1 victory in field hockey Saturday afternoon on the Kibler pitch.
This was the first-ever meeting between the two programs.
Washington (2-3) was coming off a thrilling 2-1 sudden victory at home against No. 16-ranked Shenandoah four days earlier.
After a week off, it was well-rested Susquehanna that asserted itself early.
Freshman Jada Thompson’s first collegiate goal, on the River Hawks’ third shot of the afternoon, gave the guests a 1-0 lead in the ninth minute that they never lost.
Susquehanna extended the spread to 2-0 with just 43 seconds remaining in the opening quarter when Taylor Rothermel poked in a crossing pass from Kiara Koeller for what would hold up to be the winning goal.
SU led 6-1 in shots after the first frame, but was held to just four more shots over the remaining 45 minutes.
Washington fired off seven shots in the second quarter and nine more in the third, while Susquehanna was bottled up and managed just one shot, but could not cash in against a goalie who was appearing in her first college game.
The Shore ladies ultimately solved sophomore Taytum Lombardi (10 saves) in the 58th minute when Kat Esposito put back the rebound of a MaryCate Anson shot that rang off the left post. Esposito got behind the Susquehanna defense and put the ball into an empty cage.
Esposito nearly scored 10 minutes earlier when she beat Lombardi on a counter, but Lydia Hidlay came up with a defensive save to preserve the shutout at that point.
Esposito finished with seven shots, all on frame, helping Washington as a team pile up 24 shots to Susquehanna’s 10.
Washington also led in penalty corners, 14-2; Susquehanna’s two corners came in the opening quarter.
Esposito has moved up to fourth in program history with 36 career goals.
She missed all of last year because of injury.
NEXT UP: Washington is home Saturday, Sept. 21 against state rival St. Mary’s. Game time is 1 p.m.
