READING, Pa. – The Albright Lions field hockey team picked up a key 2-1 victory over Susquehanna in non-conference action on Wednesday night at Shirk Stadium.
 
With the win, the Lions improve to 3-4 on the season as they avenge a 1-0 loss to the River Hawks in Selinsgrove last season. Meanwhile, the defending Landmark Conference champion River Hawks fall to 2-5 overall on the season.
 
Early on, Susquehanna controlled play in their offensive side of the field as they registered four shots in the first five minutes of the game after drawing three penalty corners. The Lions would stand tall as junior goalkeeper Brynne Schoppe kept the River Hawks off the scoreboard early after a few early chances. The tide began to turn in the second quarter as the Lions drew a pair of penalty corners in the first six minutes. They would convert on the second of two corners as senior Marley Berger found the back of the net after receiving a pass from classmate Kaley Donmoyer to make it 1-0. Berger nearly scored her second of the game in the 26^th minute as she ripped a shot off a penalty corner that was saved by a sprawling River Hawk goalkeeper.
 
The Lions would extend their lead to 2-0 in the 34^th minute as Donmoyer scored her first goal of the season. She used one arm to work the ball around a River Hawk defender, and shot the ball over the Susquehanna goalkeeper after she came out of the box. The Lions nearly got a third goal when junior Jennifer Crumling had a shot saved in the 38^th minute of the game. Albright was unable to convert on a trio of early penalty corners in the start of the fourth quarter, but continued to play strong defense to maintain their lead. Susquehanna would then make things interesting as they converted off a penalty corner with 1:29 left in regulation to make it 2-1. Albright would close the game out by not allowing another Susquehanna shot.
 
Albright held a 10-9 shot advantage for the game with an 8-5 advantage in shots on goal. The Lions also held a slight 8-7 edge in penalty corners as well. Schoppe earned the win after making four saves during the full 60 minutes, while River Hawk goalkeeper Emily DiGaetano suffered the loss after making five saves during the full 60 minutes. Donmoyer tallied three points to lead the Lions, while Berger tallied her first goal since tallying the game-winner in overtime against Stevenson last October.
 
The Lions will return to action on Saturday, September 21^st as they will travel to face Wesley in non-conference action at 1 p.m.