YORK, PA – The York College field hockey squad posted their first home win of the year as the Spartans defeated Stevenson University 3-1 in a Capital Athletic Conference match on Thursday in York. The Spartans improve to 4-4 overall and 2-1 in the CAC while the Mustangs fall to 2-4 overall and 0-2 in the league.

The Mustangs delivered the first punch in the match as Sarah Bauer converted a Katelyn Manochech pass for the game's first goal. The goal came on a defensive breakdown and occurred just 10:22 into the game. The goal came despite the fact the Spartans had been carrying a majority of the early play.

The Spartans recovered from Stevenson's opening salvo by regaining the momentum in the contest. York got three penalty corners over the next six minutes but York's first goal came on a breakaway. Junior Allison Roush (Lancaster, Pa./Manheim Township) collected a loose ball at midfield and carried the ball into the circle. Roush drew Stevenson goalie Kara Zimmerman out to challenge the ball but the Spartan forward deftly slid a pass to on onrushing Katie Dawkins (Easton, Md./Easton) who tapped the ball into the cage for the equalizing goal. The goal came in the 20^th minute of the contest.

The teams headed to the break tied at one but the Spartans held a 6-3 edge in total shots and a 7-1 bulge in penalty corners.

The Green and White broke the 1-1 deadlock just under ten minutes into the second half off a penalty corner. Junior Casey Lawrence (Abbottstown, Pa./Delone Catholic) pushed a pass to Dawkins who was sitting just outside the left post. Dawkins finished the pass for the 2-1 Spartan lead. The tally was Dawkins' team-leading seventh goal of the year.

York added to the lead just over three minutes later when the Mustangs cleared a Sandee Reich (Pitman, N.J./Glassboro) shot off the line only to have Lawrence collect the rebound and drive the ball home for the Spartans' third goal of the contest.

York's Claire Rekitzke (Seaford, Del./Seaford Senior) notched the win in goal as she made two saves in her 70 minutes of action. Zimmerman absorbed the loss as she made four stops in her time in cage.

York held a 15-4 edge in total shots and a 10-3 edge in shots on goal. The hosts also had a significant 15-3 advantage in penalty corners for the contest.

The Spartans take to the road for a three game trip starting with a Saturday contest at Frostburg State. Game time is set for a 1:00 pm start.

GAME BOX

Photo: Katie Dawkins tallied two goals in the 3-1 win for the Spartans.