GETTYSBURG, PA-The York College field hockey squad played the 18th ranked Gettysburg College Bullets tough before succumbing to the Bullets 3-1 in a non-conference contest on Thursday afternoon in Gettysburg. The Bullets remain unbeaten at 3-0 while the Spartans fall to 1-2.
    The Spartans started the game off strong as they managed to squeeze off the first three shots of the game with the third attempt finding the back of the cage. Junior Katie Dawkins (Easton, Md./Easton) collected a loose ball off Allison Roush's (Lancaster, Pa./Manheim Township) shot and drove home the ball for the opening goal just 4:15 into the contest. The Bullets wasted little time in answering the Green and White as Lexie Hearn got a rebound off a Molly Latta shot and tied the game with her fifth goal of the year 6:11 after the Spartan goal.
    The Bullets seized the lead in the 24th minute as Martha Tahsler fed Nina Emala for the goal off a scramble in front of the Spartan cage.
    Gettysburg took that lead to the break as they outshot the Spartans 8-4 while both squads had three penalty corners.
    The second half was much like the first as the two squads battled back and forth. The Spartans were playing short handed for portion of the stanza as four cards including two green cards were handed out to the Green and White during the match. The Bullets were not assessed any cards during the contest.
    Gettysburg closed out the scoring with a goal with only 23 seconds remaining in regulation as Alyssa Heimbach got a rebound in front of the cage and drove it home for the insurance tally.
    The Bullets ended the game holding a 15-5 edge in shots while also holding a slight 5-4 margin in penalty corners.
    Christina Anderson recorded seven saves in the win while Claire Rekitzke (Seaford, Del./Seaford Senior) played well with nine saves in a hard-to-swallow loss.
    Spartan head coach Jamie Swartz was happy with how her team played.
    “I don't think the final score indicated how well we played,” stated Swartz. “Our kids fought hard and played very well against a nationally ranked team. This shows our team that when we play up to our capabilities, we can compete with anyone on our schedule.”
    The Spartans return to Kinsley Field on Saturday afternoon when they host Mary Washington in a Capital Athletic Conference contest. Game time is set for 1:00 pm.

GAME BOX

Photo: Katie Dawkins in action last season.