EAST STROUDSBURG, Pa. – The Frostburg State field hockey team wrapped up its season on the road against East Stroudsburg, falling to the fourth-ranked Warriors by a score of 8-2.

The Bobcats, coming off a recent win over Maryville, faced East Stroudsburg for the second time this season, as the previous matchup took place at Bobcat Stadium, where the Warriors prevailed 5-0.

ESU opened the game strong, having one shot go wide and another blocked before finding the back of the net with their third effort two minutes in. FSU looked to respond quickly as freshman Caroline Earnshaw had a chance turned away by Sydney Pope. Frostburg's defense kept the East Stroudsburg defense fairly in check for the next 10 minutes, with senior Zoe Barnes making a save while the hosts put another shot wide and had one blocked again. The Warriors ramped up their pressure in the final three minutes, netting a pair of goals while forcing Barnes into a quartet of saves as they ended the period up 3-0. 

Earnshaw proved to be a constant threat, as she had a pair of efforts turned away by Pope 12 seconds apart, while senior Paige Leitzel had a shot go wide just afterwards. The Warriors would lock down the Bobcat offense for the remainder of the quarter, while Barnes made a pair of saves off of two penalty corners. With 90 seconds left until the break, ESU managed to add one more goal, taking a 4-0 lead into halftime.

FSU came out of the half and got on the board in the first minute, as Leitzel found junior Emma Price for the Bobcats' first goal of the day, cutting the deficit to 4-1. East Stroudsburg came roaring back, peppering shots at Barnes' goal, though the defenders in front of her were able to get in the way of a pair of them. At the midway point of the period, ESU's pressure paid off with their fifth of the day before Barnes shut down their next attack.

Two and a half minutes later, junior Mikyla Rineer got on the board following back-to-back Bobcat corners, scoring Frostburg's second goal of the game. The Warriors continued to roll offensively, as Barnes made a save before the rebound was put past her. FSU earned another corner inside the final five minutes, with freshman Makenna Buffington being denied by new goaltender Jet Vermeulen. Another late East Stroudsburg score gave them a 7-2 advantage after three quarters.

Neither side managed a shot on goal through the first eight minutes of the fourth, with sophomore Sofia Boyle and Leitzel both going wide. Barnes made a further four saves before the Warriors scored with the last bit of action for the 8-2 final. 

With the loss, the Bobcats conclude the season at 4-14 overall, while East Stroudsburg improves to 16-2 overall and will next take part in the PSAC Tournament.

Leitzel led FSU on the season with eight goals and 19 total points. Senior Aubree Dorsey tied Leitzel for the team lead with three assists. Defensively, junior Morgan Sparks recorded four defensive saves for FSU, while Barnes finished the year with 162 saves.