Wilkes Field Hockey Falls to Susquehanna in Landmark Opening Round 1-0
EDWARDSVILLE – Kiara Koeller scored the lone goal in the game as the No. 6 seed Susquehanna University field hockey team held No. 2 seed Wilkes University off the board on way to a 1-0 victory in the First Round of the 2026 Landmark Conference Tournament on Saturday afternoon at Schmidt Stadium.
Susquehanna improved to 8-12 overall and advances to the semifinals against No. 2 seed Catholic University on Tuesday. Wilkes finished its season 11-8 overall, marking the first time the Colonels have hosted a Landmark postseason game in program history.
Susquehanna's Koeller found a loose ball shot in from the right side just outside the circle and deposited a back hand into the cage to give the River Hawks a 1-0 lead with 2:39 left in the first quarter.
Susquehanna dominated play in its offensive end most of the first half to take the one goal lead into the break.
Wilkes responded in the third quarter switching the field and spending most of the frame in its offensive end. Several close shots from
Emma Lautenbacher (Bangor, PA/Bangor) and
Maddie Karp (Pittston, PA/Pittston Area) were saved as the Colonels continued to put the pressure on the River Hawk defense.
Karp had one more chance late in the fourth quarter, but a shot from the right side of the circle went just wide of the cage keeping the River Hawks ahead for good.
Wilkes held an 11-10 shot advantage while garnering seven penalty corners to Susquehanna's four attempts.
Chloe Gilroy (Manchester, NH/Pace University) finished with six saves in goal for Wilkes while Taytum Lombardi posted six saves recording the shutout for Susquehanna.
