'Berg field hockey whips the Dips
Ben Levine
Issue date: 10/30/08 Section: Sports
The Muhlenberg field hockey team (8-8, 4-4) continues to ride their impressive win against sixth-ranked Johns Hopkins (13-2, 6-1), extending their winning streak to four games after Friday's convincing win against the Franklin & Marshall Diplomats (5-11, 2-7). Last Wednesday, the Mules defeated Scranton (8-8) 3-1 in a non-conference game. Junior midfielder Tara Cohn scored five minutes after the half to advance her goal-scoring streak to five straight games - a streak that was broken Friday.
The Lady Mules took the field Friday after a rousing opening ceremony for the seniors. The Mules' offense got off to an aggressive start without allowing the ball to leave the offensive zone for the first five minutes. Any Diplomat attacks taken into the Mules' defensive zone were quickly dealt with by the defense and midfielders and the ball was swiftly passed back to the attack.
Franklin & Marshall came out of the half with ferocity. However, the Mule defense stepped up and bore the brunt of every attack that the Diplomats threw at them.
Throughout the game, senior goalie Michelle Consiglio made notable saves but none more remarkable than in the second half. Consiglio made an athletic save with her right blocker early in the second half to set the defensive tempo. When presented with the Diplomat onslaught, senior defender Kristin Garbutt (last week's Centennial Conference defensive player of the week) shined again, showing immense defensive prowess and leadership.
Twenty minutes into the half, junior forward Nicki Notarianni won the ball at midfield then tip-toed down the sideline with impressive agility. Notarianni hit a scorching cross, finding sophomore Chessie Martinez in the circle. Martinez, who showed considerable hustle throughout the game, hit a skillful bouncing shot into the net to put the Mules ahead by one.
Twelve minutes later, with three minutes left in the game, sophomore midfielder Jess Kasza successfully put the game away with her fourth goal of the season. In the waning minutes of the game, Consiglio inspiringly dove headfirst into a melee to hit the ball out of the circle, forcefully earning her seventh career shutout.
The Mules have an uphill battle to earn the playoffs. However, with two games left, it is possible for the Lady Mules to earn a playoff spot with tough victories at Ursinus (12-2, 7-0) and Gettysburg (10-5, 5-2).
The Lady Mules took the field Friday after a rousing opening ceremony for the seniors. The Mules' offense got off to an aggressive start without allowing the ball to leave the offensive zone for the first five minutes. Any Diplomat attacks taken into the Mules' defensive zone were quickly dealt with by the defense and midfielders and the ball was swiftly passed back to the attack.
Franklin & Marshall came out of the half with ferocity. However, the Mule defense stepped up and bore the brunt of every attack that the Diplomats threw at them.
Throughout the game, senior goalie Michelle Consiglio made notable saves but none more remarkable than in the second half. Consiglio made an athletic save with her right blocker early in the second half to set the defensive tempo. When presented with the Diplomat onslaught, senior defender Kristin Garbutt (last week's Centennial Conference defensive player of the week) shined again, showing immense defensive prowess and leadership.
Twenty minutes into the half, junior forward Nicki Notarianni won the ball at midfield then tip-toed down the sideline with impressive agility. Notarianni hit a scorching cross, finding sophomore Chessie Martinez in the circle. Martinez, who showed considerable hustle throughout the game, hit a skillful bouncing shot into the net to put the Mules ahead by one.
Twelve minutes later, with three minutes left in the game, sophomore midfielder Jess Kasza successfully put the game away with her fourth goal of the season. In the waning minutes of the game, Consiglio inspiringly dove headfirst into a melee to hit the ball out of the circle, forcefully earning her seventh career shutout.
The Mules have an uphill battle to earn the playoffs. However, with two games left, it is possible for the Lady Mules to earn a playoff spot with tough victories at Ursinus (12-2, 7-0) and Gettysburg (10-5, 5-2).