READING, PA. – The Albright field hockey team (1-0) opened their 2023 season at home with a convincing 2-0 shutout victory of visiting Immaculata (0-1). Chelsea Johnson scored in the opening frame and Laurel Gingrich added an insurance goal in the fourth period to seal the Lions win.

The Lions wasted no time and got the scoring started in the opening frame. After a tremendous build up from Albright the ball made its way to Lamya Mejias. Mejias then found the stick of Chelsea Johnson who took care of the rest and found the back of the net.

Johnson, 2022 All-MAC First Team selection, picked up right where she left off a season ago scoring the opening goal of the 2023 campaign. Johnson's first period goal was the 19^th of her career.

Halfway through the second quarter with the Lions leading 1-0, the defense and goaltending fought off five penalty corners from Immaculata. The Lions defense stood tall fighting off all five attempts allowing only two shots during the fury of penalty corners.

The 1-0 Albright lead would hold until early in the fourth period. Off a penalty corner for Albright, Johnson found her teammate all alone on the goal's doorstep. Gingrich buried the shot to make the game 2-0 which ultimately became the final score.

Coach Wiese had this to say on todays 2-0 win, "I am really proud of the way the team came out and got the job done today. We did some really great things, and then I think we can learn from some challenging situations that Immaculata created from us. I was really impressed with some members of the team who stepped up today, especially our first years. We will enjoy this win and get ready to play again tomorrow".

The Albright offense was pestering Immaculata all day firing 18 shots, nine of which on goal and earning 12 total penalty corners. Johnson was credited with four shots as was 2022 MAC Honorable mention Olivia Lorah. Morgan Kopick and McKenna Cox added two shots of their own for Albright.

Veronica Heckman stood tall in the net for the Lions making four saves throughout the game giving her the fourth shutout of her career.
 
UP NEXT:
Albright will right back in action at Shirk stadium tomorrow, September 2 against Lycoming. The game is set to begin at 4:30 p.m.