St. Mary’s College of Maryland’s field hockey team was dealt its third loss of the season Wednesday evening, falling to Stevenson University 4-0 in a non-conference matchup. The Seahawks, now 2-3 for the season, struggled offensively, managing just six shots throughout the game, while Stevenson improved to 6-0.
Early Goals Set the Tone
Stevenson University capitalized on its opportunities early in the game, securing a 3-0 lead within the first eight minutes. Emma Gladstein was the standout performer for the Mustangs, netting two goals within 51 seconds, with the second goal coming at 5:42. Shortly after, Monica Druckemiller extended Stevenson’s lead, adding a third goal at 7:15.
St. Mary’s College (SMCM) found itself playing defensively throughout most of the game. The Seahawks’ first offensive push didn’t come until the final minutes of the first half when they earned back-to-back penalty corners. Senior captain Charlotte Horn and sophomore midfielder Tori Hampton each managed to get shots off, but the Mustang defense held firm.
Third Quarter Surge by Stevenson
The third quarter saw Stevenson continue to press the attack, recording six shots and earning six penalty corners. Five of these shots came within a one-minute span, one of which was a penalty stroke attempt by Haley Palmer that missed wide to the right at the 37:42 mark. SMCM’s sophomore goalkeeper, Caroline McDonald, played a crucial role in preventing further damage during this stretch, making three saves in rapid succession.
Despite McDonald’s efforts, Stevenson found another opportunity for a penalty stroke at 42:09. Shae Bennett took advantage, slotting the ball into the lower left corner to give the Mustangs a commanding 4-0 lead.
Seahawks Struggle to Find the Net
The Seahawks had a brief glimmer of hope early in the fourth quarter when juniors Sofia Lopez and Emma Watkins each generated scoring opportunities within 30 seconds of one another. However, Stevenson’s goalkeeper Ollie Winterle turned away both attempts to preserve the shutout. This was the fifth consecutive shutout for Stevenson, as the Mustangs’ defense continued to prove impenetrable.
Stats Recap
Stevenson ended the game with a 12-6 shot advantage, including a 7-4 edge in shots on goal. The Mustangs also controlled the penalty corner battle, winning seven to St. Mary’s three.
For the Seahawks, McDonald made all three of her saves during the third quarter, and Hampton led the team with two shots, both of which were on target. Gladstein’s two goals were pivotal for Stevenson, while Palmer contributed a team-high four shots. Goalkeeper Jordan Vradenburgh recorded two saves through the first three quarters before Winterle’s two stops in the final quarter secured the win.
Stevenson Snaps Losing Streak
The victory also marked the end of Stevenson’s three-game losing streak against St. Mary’s College, further highlighting their strong start to the season.
Next Up for St. Mary’s College
The Seahawks will look to bounce back in their upcoming game on Saturday, September 21, when they travel to Chestertown, Md., to face Washington College. The non-conference matchup will be held at Roy Kirby, Jr. Stadium, with both teams entering the game with a 2-3 record. The game is scheduled for a 1 p.m. start.
