BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- The Moravian College field hockey team jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead on rival Muhlenberg College in a non-conference match at Rocco Calvo Field Wednesday afternoon but the Hounds were unable to build off of the early advantage in a 5-1 loss.
"The quick lead gave us some early momentum this afternoon but we were not able to sustain that throughout the rest of the match," commented Head Coach Amy Endler. "We've been playing well in spurts but not for a full 70 minutes, and we need to be able to carry that early momentum for the entire match."
The Mules had two quick shots in the first 30 seconds of action but it would be the Hounds that jumped on the scoreboard first. Just over two minutes into the contest, Moravian was awarded a penalty corner. Junior defender Shauna Poling inserted the ball and would go to the left post as senior midfielder Ely Vazquez took the ball from the top of the circle down the right side. Vazquez would send a crossing pass towards the left post where Poling tapped it in for her first goal of the season.
Junior goalie Megan Kanyuk kept the match scoreless for the next 14 minute as she stopped five shots and saw another one ring off of the post next to her. The Mules would eventually get on the scoreboard in the 17th minute, and Muhlenberg added goals in the 27th and 31st minutes to head to the intermission with a 3-1 lead.
Muhlenberg added an early goal in the second half before the Hounds put three shots on goal in the 46th minute after a penalty corner with junior forward Erin Tiwold putting her shot on the cage. A few minutes later Poling came up with a defensive save, her fifth of the season, but the Mules would score in the 51st minute.
Poling would have a shot at a second goal in the 65th minute when she took a penalty stroke for the Greyhounds. She aimed for the upper left corner of the cage but the Mules goalie was able to get a piece of the shot and keep it out of the net. Kanyuk would finish with 17 saves for the Hounds, her third straight match that included 17 or more saves.
Moravian is scheduled to return to action on Saturday, October 10 in a Landmark Conference match at Juniata College starting at 1:00 p.m. in Huntingdon.
