MECHANICSBURG, PA – University of Rochester Field Hockey fell to the 3rd-ranked Salisbury University Sea Gulls, 7-1, in a neutral-site matchup on Monday at Anderson Field on the campus of Messiah University.
The Sea Gulls got things started quickly in the 3rd minute, taking a 1-0 lead on McKenzie Jamison's goal, assisted by Alayna Gigliotti.
Salisbury would add two more to their first-quarter tally, unassisted goals by Allie Davis and McKenzie Mitchell, as the Sea Gulls held UR's offense without a shot in the opening period.
Mitchell and the Sea Gulls added another to open the second quarter in the 19th minute before
Zoe Conomikes picked up Rochester's first shot of the day, forcing Mackenzie Peacock to make one of her four saves on the afternoon.
Olivia Twilley and Elle Wood added two more second-quarter goals for the Sea Gulls to make it a 6-0 halftime lead for No. 3 Salisbury.
Bella Militi got things going in the second half for the Yellowjackets, as her opening salvo in the 32nd minute sailed wide.
After
Maeve Fogarty picked up her first shot on goal in the 36th minute, Rochester earned their first penalty corner on the afternoon, but
Vivianna Arnold's shot was blocked.
Mitchell added a third goal to complete her hat trick in the 42nd minute, but the Yellowjackets would hold Salisbury to just one second-half goal and keep the Sea Gulls off the scoreboard the rest of the way.
Down the stretch of the third quarter, UR's offense got going, with three penalty corners in the final four minutes, including two with the clock stopped at 0:00 until
Nikki Mercer scored Rochester's lone goal of the afternoon, cutting Salisbury's lead to 7-1.
Off Mercer's penalty corner,
Karina Bridger's first shot was blocked and Mercer's first was saved, but on the rebound the senior found the back of the net to give UR a score.
Rochester then held Salisbury scoreless the entire fourth, holding the Sea Gulls without a shot on goal.
The Yellowjackets looked to further cut into Salisbury's lead in the 56th minute on another penalty corner, but Conomikes shot was saved, and Hannah Johnson kept
Delainey Hebble's second shot out of the net with a defensive save to finish off the 7-1 victory.
#3 Salisbury remains undefeated at 12-0 on the year, while Rochester drops to 10-3 with the loss.
Conomikes led Rochester with three shots, while Mercer had two and netted UR's lone goal.
Elisabeth Sidorski notched a defensive save while
Helen Schmitter and
Kara Houston split time in goal for the 'Jackets, combining for eight saves, seven by Schmitter and one by Houston.
The Yellowjackets next resume Liberty League play on Friday, Oct. 14, traveling to Poughkeepsie, NY for a matchup against Vassar College at 4 p.m.
