Northern Tier News

Mansfield University Athletics issued the following announcement on Oct. 5.

Over the midway point of the 2021 season, the Mansfield University field hockey team are set to make a postseason push with seven of their next eight games counting towards the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC), starting on Wednesday, Oct. 6 at 4 p.m. at Slippery Rock University.

QUICK HITS

The Mounties enter Wednesday with a 5-5 overall, 1-2 PSAC record, putting them just on the outside looking in of the conference tournament. Their mark puts them in a tie for seventh and one game behind the sixth and final postseason slot.

However, the Mounties are fresh off a 2-1 week and have the bulk of their conference schedule right in front of them. Seven of their remaining eight contests count towards the PSAC standings, giving them plenty of time to make up ground.

Mansfield is ranked fourth in the conference with 27 schools scored and 16 goals against. Sophomore Saramae Radel is coming off the best week of her career, netting four goals to total eight points to lead the Mounties to victories over Mercyhurst University and Lindenwood University.

Radel scored in every game last week, kicking things off with a goal in the Mounties' 7-0 win over Mercyhurst, before ending the week with two goals in the 3-2 victory over Lindenwood. Sophomore Kalin Duke assisted Radel on the game-tying and game-winning goal on Saturday. Radel also scored the lone goal in the Mounties' 2-1 loss to #6 East Stroudsburg.

Radel moved into a tie for the team-lead of six goals with fellow sophomore Alex Esterling. Esterling also had a big week, scoring the opening goals against Mercyhurst and Lindenwood.

The Mountaineer defense continues to prove why it's one of the toughest in Division II, with two players in the top-10 in the conference in defensive saves, including a tie for the nation's lead. Sophomore Riley Kleinfelter is tied with Chelsea Cangro for the most defensive saves in the country with five, while sophomore Hannah Meyer ranks sixth in the PSAC with two.

Sophomore goalkeeper August Lewis continues her stellar rookie campaign, ranking third in the conference in saves (66) and second in save percentage (.805) and saves per game (6.60).

MEET THE ROCK

Record: 3-6, 0-3 PSAC

Last Five Games: 1-4

Head Coach: Rayell Heistand (1st Season, University of Connecticut '12)

 

Slippery rock also finds themselves on the outside looking in of the PSAC Championship race with an 0-3 conference record.

The Rock will look to end a four-game skid and are coming off a 6-0 rout at the hands of No. 4 Millersville University.

Eight players have recorded a goal for the Rock, including five athletes with multiple scores and led by Jessie Trube with six.

Grace Burker has started all nine games in cage, recording 23 saves for a 0.652 save percentage and 2.79 goals against average.

THE RIVALRY

Wednesday's contest is sure to be exciting, considering the last time these two schools met a shootout was needed to decide a winner.

Brittany Ryan '20 matched the program single-season shutout record and Christie Buyer '20 scored the difference-maker in shootouts to lift No. 10 Mansfield past Slippery Rock.

The Mountaineers have dominated the all-time series, sporting a 25-15-3 mark entering Wednesday. The Mounties won 18 consecutive games from 1996-2008, but the series shifted in the Rock's favor in the early 2010's as they were winners in 10-of-11 games from 2010-2016.

However, the Mountaineers have one the last five meetings, including two that went past regulation.

COVERAGE

(All coverage links can be found under the sports schedule – WATCH – LIVE Stats.)

ON THIS DATE

10/5/2020: MOUNTIES BEAT C.W. POST IN OVERTIME SHOOTOUT – HOLLY FREDERICKSON'S GOAL IN SHOOTOUT LIFTS MU TO THIRD WIN IN LAST FOUR GAMES

Brookville, NY – Holly Frederickson's goal gave Mansfield a 3-2 advantage in an overtime shootout to lift the Mountaineers to a 2-1 over C.W. Post in NCAA Division II field hockey Wednesday afternoon at Brookville, NY.

The Mountaineers trailed 1-0 until Alissa Gallagher scored an unassisted goal with 5:48 left in the game to force overtime.

After neither team scored in overtime, the winner was decided on a shootout.

Original source can be found here.