YORK, PA – The York College field hockey squad posted a 2-1 win over Alvernia University in the 2022 MAC Commonwealth semifinals, earning a trip to the title match on Saturday at Messiah.
The Spartans tied the school record for wins in a season with their 15^th victory, tying the record set in 1998. The win is also the sixth straight for York and also marks the first time since October 12 that they surrendered a goal in a match. The Golden Wolves finish their season with a mark of 13-6.
 
How It Happened
• Not much happened in the first quarter as both teams played between their two circles. Neither team had a shot or a corner in the opening 15 minutes of play.
• The Golden Wolves seized the momentum in the 23^rd minute of the game as the Spartans got back-to-back five minute yellow cards to go two players down with 6:18 left in the quarter. Hailey Miller was able to capitalize on the advantage as she fired off an initial shot that was saved by Belle Fields. The ball bounced right back to Miller who deposited the ball into the cage for the 1-0 lead. The goal was her fourth of the season.
• The Spartans were able to fire off their first shot with 2:38 left in the first half. The Golden Wolves out shot the Spartans 2-1 in the opening 30 minutes of play.
• York completely turned the game around in the opening eight minutes of the second half. The Spartans earned a penalty corner just 18 seconds into the half. That started a stretch where York kept the play in their offensive third of the field. That pressure paid off just over five minutes later as York drew a penalty stroke. Lindsey Cowan stepped up and promptly fired the shot home for the equalizer. It was her third goal of the year. All three of her goals have come on strokes.
• York took the lead 1:59 later as Maycee Collison had her initial shot blocked but scooped up the rebound and drove home the game winner with exactly 22 minutes left in the game. The goal was her sixth of the season.
• The Spartans killed off the remainder of the contest as Alvernia was stifled by the Spartan defense. York finished the game holding the Golden Wolves to just their two first half shots.
 
Spartan Notes
The Spartan have now won three straight in the series as they lead Alvernia 10-7 in the all-time series … the Spartans defensive scoreless streak was snapped at 324:23 with Alvernia's second quarter goal … the Spartans are now 6-2 at home with four shutouts … the six game win streak is York's longest of the year … York will make their third conference championship game appearance on Saturday and their first as members of the MAC Commonwealth … York's previous championship appearances both came at Salisbury in 1996 and 2000 … York will be in search of their first conference championship in the 54 seasons of Spartan field hockey … the Spartans' 15-4 record ties them with the 1998 squad for the best mark in school history … the Spartans have double digit wins in all five of coach Katie Fost's seasons at the helm of the program … York is now 29-9 in the last two season and are 61-33 in Fost's tenure as Spartan head coach … after missing their first four penalty strokes of the year, the Spartans have converted four straight including three straight from Lindsey Cowan who hasn't missed this year … Maycee Collison notched her sixth goal of the year as she now has 13 points on six goals and one assist … the Spartans now have seven players who have reached double figures in scoring for the year.

Up Next
The Spartans will head to Grantham, PA on Saturday to face off against top seeded Messiah in the MAC Commonwealth title game. The Falcons edged the Spartans 3-2 in overtime in the regular season meeting. Game time on Saturday will be announced on Thursday. Please check back with www.ycpspartans.com for the game time.