YORK, PA – The #8 York College field hockey squad got their biggest offensive output of the season as they downed #11 Lynchburg 5-0 on an overcast Saturday in York.
The Spartans improved to 4-0 at home as they have allowed one goal at Kinsley Field all year.
York improves to 7-2 overall while the Hornets fall to 4-2.
 
How It Happened
• The Hornets had the better of the play to open the game as they had back-to-back penalty corners in the first three minutes of the game. The Hornets were only able to get one shot off of the two corners as the Spartans defense was able to regroup. The Spartans had the best offensive opportunity in the first quarter as Libby Wild put a long pass into the circle. Tori Heiserman picked up the pass and put a spin move on goalie Shay Schoones. Unfortunately, Heiserman's shot slid just wide of the left post as the teams remained tied after 15 minutes of play.
• Heiserman more than made up for her first quarter missed shot. With 1:09 into the second quarter, the sophomore made a fantastic individual play for the game's opening goal. Heiserman collected a loose ball in front of the Spartan bench. The forward streaked down the far sideline before cutting into the circle and unleashing a shot that tucked inside the far right post for her third goal of the year.
• The Hornets tried to counter as they had a corner just over 34 seconds after Heiserman's goal. The Hornets got a shot on goal off the corner on goal but Belle Fields was able to earn the save. Lynchburg got another corner off that first shot but that would be it for the Hornet offense in the second quarter. York controlled the final six minutes of the half as they had four shots, three on goal, with one corner heading to the break.
• The Green and White got their second goal of the game just 1:56 into the third quarter. The Hornets were called for an infraction that led to a penalty stroke. Senior Sophia Holtzner stepped up and drilled the attempt for her first goal of the year as York took the 2-0 lead. The Spartans scored a third goal less than four minutes later as Kelbie Linebaugh notched her second goal of the year off a pass from Riley Buschert. Maggie Spadafora started the play as she carried the ball into the circle. She fed a pass to Buschert who made the extra pass across the goalmouth to find an open Linebaugh who finished the play for the 3-0 lead.
• The Green and White tacked on two more goals in the fourth quarter to salt away the win. Buschert recorded her team-leading sixth goal of the year with 4:49 left in the game. Emma Fowler had the ball on the end line and flipped a pass to Buschert who finished the chance for the goal. Freshman Michaela Cokinos finished the scoring as she intercepted a Lynchburg outlet pass and drove home a shot for her first collegiate score with 2:21 left in the game.
• Wild made a defensive save with 1:32 left in the game to preserve the shutout for the Spartans. York out shot the Hornets 16-5 including 9-3 in shots on goal. The Hornets had a big 10-2 bulge in penalty corners but the Spartan defense stood tall on those Hornet corner opportunities.
 
Spartan Notes
The Spartans snapped a two-game losing streak against the Hornets as York gained a measure of revenge for the two one-goal Lynchburg wins from last year including a 2-1 double overtime decision in the second round of the NCAA Tournament … Lynchburg leads the all-time series 10-7 … the five goals were the most for the Spartans in 2024 … York had five different goal scorers in the win … the Spartans are now 2-2 against nationally ranked squads … York has outscored their four home opponents 12-1 … the Spartans allowed a goal to Scranton 6:34 into the home slate and have not allowed a goal since at Kinsley Field, a stretch of 233:26 … York's 12 points on five goals and two assists were a season-high … York scored five goals on just 16 shots … York held Lynchburg to just five shots and that's the fourth time this year that the Spartans have held a team to five shots or less … senior goalie Belle Fields picked up her 38^th career win and continues to extend her school-record for shutouts with her 21^st clean sheet … Fields is now three wins away from tying Meg Eckenrode's school record of 41 victories … Fields leads the MAC Commonwealth in total shutouts with four … senior Libby Wild recorded her seventh defensive save of the season as she has four in the last three games … Wild now has 14 career defensive saves as she is tied fifth on the career list … Wild also ranks first in the MAC Commonwealth in defensive saves … senior Sophia Holtzner tallied her first collegiate goal on third quarter penalty stroke … Michaela Cokinos tallied her first career goal with her fourth quarter tally … York has now had 11 different goal scorers for the year.
 
Up Next
The Spartans road of ranked teams continues on Wednesday evening as the Spartans square off against former Capital Athletic Conference nemesis Salisbury University. The Sea Gulls, who are ranked second in the nation, welcome the Spartans for a 6:00 pm contest in Salisbury, Maryland.