No. 4 ESU Field Hockey Improves to 15-3 with 1-0 Win at Slippery Rock

SLIPPERY ROCK – East Stroudsburg University held a 28-10 advantage in shots and senior midfield Joanna Reckley scored the game’s only goal nine minutes into the second half to lead No. 4 East Stroudsburg University to its 15th win of the season on Sunday afternoon at Slippery Rock.

Lisa Belcastro made 15 saves for the Rock, but the Warriors (15-3) finally beat her early in the second half when Belcastro saved an initial shot by senior forward Jessica Frantz and senior midfielder Brittany Kocis found Reckley off the rebound to put ESU in front.

Junior Maureen Ordnung made six saves for ESU’s fifth shutout of the season. The Rock (5-13) threatened a couple of times in the second half and the Warriors had a defensive save in the middle of the half to secure the shutout.

Reckley’s goal was her sixth of the season and the 14th of her career. Kocis recorded her 12th assist of the year on the play, two away from ESU’s school record, and has 20 career assists to move into sole possession of fifth in school history.

The Warriors’ 15 wins are their fourth-most all-time. ESU’s 1995 team went 17-4 and the 1996 and 2001 teams both had 16 victories.

ESU hosts No. 1-ranked Shippensburg (18-0) on Thursday at 1:30 p.m. at Whitenight Field in the second meeting between the two schools this season. Shippensburg posted a 3-2 (OT) win over the Warriors on Oct. 23, the only time they have been pushed to overtime this season. Ship hosts Kutztown on Tuesday before taking on ESU in its regular season finale.

The Warriors enter the final week of the regular season ranked second in the PSAC East and have already secured a PSAC playoff spot. ESU has a 5-2 PSAC East record, one game behind Bloomsburg (14-2, 6-1).