YORK, PA – The York College field hockey squad made their 2023 home debut a successful one as the Spartans upended #2 Johns Hopkins 3-1 at a steamy Kinsley Field on Wednesday evening.
The Spartans, who are ranked 13^th in the most recent NFHCA poll, earned the win over the highest ranked opponent in school history.
York improves to 2-0 while the Blue Jays fall to 2-1.
 
How It Happened
• The Spartans jumped on top early as Katie Martino collected a long outlet pass on the right wing. She was able to slide shot past goalie Alexis Loder and the near post a mere 78 seconds into the game to give York the early advantage. The goal was Martino's second of the year.
• The Blue Jays got the early equalizer 9:34 into the second quarter. After a series of Blue Jay shots, Liz Falterer collected a rebound and poked home the shot for the goal, her second of the season. The Spartans wasted little time in recapturing the lead as Olivia Miller recorded her first collegiate goal off a rebound of an Anna Simoes shot just 67 seconds later to give York the 2-1 lead. The remainder of the half was quiet as York took the one goal advantage to the intermission.
• The Spartans got a huge insurance goal 7:18 into the third quarter as Miller carried the ball to the end line before sliding a pass in front of the Hopkins cage. Fellow freshman Hannah Downs collected the pass on one-timed a shot inside the right post for her first collegiate tally. The Jays would get a pair of Maura Minter shots late in the third quarter but Belle Fields recorded saves on both shots to preserve the two-goal lead.
• The Blue Jays pressured York early in the fourth quarter as they had two shots and a trio of penalty corners but the Spartan defense stood strong to close out the big win.
• Both teams had eight shots in the match while York had a 6-5 edge in shots on goal. The Blue Jays held a slight 4-3 margin in penalty corners.
 
Spartan Notes
The Spartans snap a two-match losing streak to Hopkins and now lead the all-time series 6-4 … the Blue Jays were the national runner-ups last year as they fell to Middlebury 1-0 in overtime in the national championship game in November … York's previous high win over a ranked team during the Katie Fost tenure came against #6 Franklin & Marshall, 2-1, on September 15, 2021 … York defeated #4 Franklin & Marshall 2-1 on September 15, 2015 in their all-time win over the highest ranked opponent prior to Wednesday evening … freshmen Olivia Miller and Hannah Downs each scored their first collegiate goals for the Spartans … junior goalie Belle Fields recorded four saves in the win.
 
Up Next
The Spartans head back out on the road to face former Capital Athletic Conference foe St. Mary's College in a non-conference contest on Saturday. Game time in St. Mary's City is set for noon.