Leitzel's Goal, Barnes' Career Day Not Enough in Field Hockey Loss to #4 Golden Rams
WEST CHESTER, Pa. – The Frostburg State Field Hockey team fell in their road game against No. 4 West Chester by a final score of 3-1.
Within the first minute of action, WCU quickly found themselves up on a goal by Jasmine Miller. Sophomore Zoe Barnes was called into action early and often, making four saves in goal while trying to keep FSU in the game. The Golden Rams' pressure paid off in the final three minutes, as Adriana Palumbo doubled the lead.
The Bobcats were able to find a response before the end of the frame, as a penalty corner was worked into senior Ashlyn Cave, who fed across the arc to sophomore Paige Leitzel to sweep home for a 2-1 contest. Freshman Emma Price nearly equalized a minute later, but her effort was saved just before the end of the quarter.
Barnes made a save 30 seconds into the second period, then Cave saw a shot blocked at the other end three minutes later as the game went back-and-forth. West Chester locked the Frostburg offense down the rest of the quarter, while forcing Barnes into another pair of saves. As the clock ticked towards halftime, WCU got the insurance goal they desired, scoring with just 30 seconds left for a 3-1 lead.
Junior Femke Hofkamp had the first bit of offense in the third, seeing her blast saved in trying to cut the deficit. The Golden Rams continued to control the majority of attacking play, as Barnes had another three saves in the quarter, while the Bobcats couldn't muster much on offense to get back into the game.
West Chester held FSU without a shot in the entire fourth quarter, while Barnes was a wall in front of the cage, deflecting away anything that the Golden Rams threw at her. The Bobcat defense also helped out their keeper with a pair of blocks, but WCU saw out the remainder without a threat, earning the 3-1 win.
Barnes was the standout player on the day, making a career-high 15 saves in net, topping her previous best of 13 set last week against Shippensburg.
With the loss, Frostburg falls to 7-5, while West Chester improves to 8-3. The Bobcats next face Mercyhurst on the road Tuesday, October 10 at 2 p.m. Information and updates will be posted to frostburgsports.com.
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