YORK, PA – The #22 York College field hockey squad got off to a great start and rolled from there as they blanked Widener University 6-0 in MAC Commonwealth play on a brisk Wednesday night in York.
The Spartans scored two goals in the first, third and fourth quarters for the final tally.
York is now 8-5 overall and 2-0 in the MAC Commonwealth. The Pride is now 7-5 overall and 0-2 in the Commonwealth.
 
How It Happened
• The Spartans came out a determined group as they drew a penalty corner a mere 28 seconds into the game. York kept up the pressure as they had three penalty corners and three shots inside the first two minutes of the game. The fourth Spartan shot found pay dirt as Jade Haines played a ball into the circle where it was redirected into the goal by the reigning MAC Commonwealth Player of the Week Claire Burrows for a 1-0 lead.
• York kept the pressure on in the eighth minute of the game as Kelsey Welsh flipped a nifty pass into the circle where Bella Reiss finished off the chance for the 2-0 lead. The Spartan defense was rock solid in the first quarter as the Pride did not have any offensive possession beyond midfield for the entire first quarter. York out-shot their guests 12-0 in the first quarter including 6-0 in shots on goal. York also had a 6-0 bulge in penalty corners for the quarter.
• The offensive pace slowed significantly in the second quarter as York managed just three shots. The Pride garnered their first penalty corner of the game in the second quarter.
• York came out of the intermission ready to push the lead and they did exactly that just 2:30 into the second half. Kelbie Linebaugh fired off a shot that was saved but the rebound came right back to her and she drilled the second chance opportunity for the 3-0 lead. Freshman Ana Kenst pushed the lead to 4-0 as she scored her second goal of the year off a pass from Emma Pryor in the 41^st minute of the game. York had a 9-2 margin in shots as it was also 8-0 in shots on goal.
• Linebaugh added to the lead in the fourth as Pryor handed out her second straight assist just 58 seconds into the second half. As York continued to dominate both sides of the field, Haley Boyarski recorded her second goal of the year with 5:31 left in the game.
• York held a significant 34-2 margin in total shots and a 21-0 advantage in shots on goal. York also had a 13-2 bulge in penalty corners for the game.
 
Spartan Notes
York is now 6-1 all-time against Widener as the Spartans have won five straight in the series … the Spartans have outscored their last three opponents 18-1 with two shutouts, York's first two clean sheets of the year … York's 16 points in the win (six goals and four assists) are their second-highest total of the year … the Spartans' 34 total shots in the game is a new season high while the 21 shots on goal are the second-highest total … York has limited their last three opponents to seven total shots and five shots on goal … York has now won three straight after a three-game losing skid to a trio of nationally ranked squads … Claire Burrows has now scored goals in three straight games … Kelbie Linebaugh leads the Spartans with goals (10) and points (20) while Burrows is second with seven goals and 18 total points.
 
Up Next
The Spartans return to action on Saturday afternoon as they host Alvernia University in a MAC Commonwealth contest. Game time is set for 1:00 pm at Kinsley Field.