Dialog reporter
GREENVILLE – St. Mark’s exploded for four second-half goals and played lockdown defense for 60 minutes in a 4-0 nonconference field hockey win Oct. 16 at Tatnall. Four different players scored for the Spartans.
The Spartans came out of halftime putting on the offensive pressure, as they had in the first half, when they were unable to convert. An early shot on goal by Ellie Noonan was deflected wide, but St. Mark’s did not have to wait much longer to take the lead. A long pass set up the Spartans in the Hornets’ crease, and after a scramble, Megan Noonan was able to beat the keeper for the 1-0 lead at the 23:59 mark.
St. Mark’s cranked up the heat over the next few minutes, sending one shot over the Tatnall cage and another wide. The Spartans then put the game out of reach with two quick goals midway through the half.
The first came on a penalty corner. Ellie Noonan inbounded the ball to Ciera Fowler at the edge of the circle to the left of the Tatnall keeper. Fowler wound up and let the ball fly. It snuck through several players into the cage with 16:01 to go. Less than two minutes later, Lauren Pala tapped in a loose ball that got behind the Hornets’ keeper.
The Spartans’ smothering defense made sure the lead would stand up. Their defenders were all over the ball, keeping the Hornets from setting up most of the afternoon. Tatnall did earn three penalty corners in quick succession in the middle of the first half; on the first, the Hornets’ Lara Jensen sent a blistering shot toward St. Mark’s keeper Melina Carradin, who made the kick save.
Kendra Schweizer wrapped up the scoring with 7:48 to go.
St Mark’s evened its record at 5-5, winning its third straight. The Spartans host Padua on Wednesday at 3:45 p.m. Tatnall (4-5) travels to St. Andrew’s on Thursday at 4 p.m.
