10-31-2023 4:21am

MUSTANGS IN PLAYOFFS

2023 SKM PHOTOGRAPHY

Preview: Field Hockey heads to first MAC Commonwealth semifinal since 2015

Stevenson Field Hockey earned a MAC Commonwealth postseason berth with their 1-0 victory over Hood on Saturday.

The Mustangs are responsible for the program's first 10-plus win season since 2015 after last week's pair of 1-0 victories. Junior Nicole Ziegler scored to lift Stevenson over Alvernia on Wednesday before senior Emma Gladstein solidified the undefeated week at Hood on Saturday.

Stevenson enters the tournament as the fourth seed, sending them to top-seeded Messiah University on Wednesday, November 1.

For the Mustangs, Gladstein leads the conference in goals (17), assists (8), and points (42), having accounted for four game-winning goals this season. In net, senior Eve Vickery and first-year Jordan Vradenburgh have combined for 80 saves and eight shutouts, having ended the regular season on a three-game shutout streak.

Messiah has remained in the top ten of each weekly NFHCA poll throughout the season, and they stand at fifth going into Wednesday's game. Their sole loss of the season came from a 2-1 overtime loss to No. 3 Johns Hopkins, to whom the Mustangs lost 2-0.

The Falcons' top scorer (Aubrey Clark) totals nine goals and 21 points, followed by two players (Teagan Murrie and Carrie Fair) with eight goals apiece. Their goalkeepers have not faced much action behind their strong defensive force, totaling 45 saves and 12 goals against.

In their last meeting on October 11th, host Messiah came away with an 8-1 victory. First-year Lauren Schulz scored the Mustangs' lone goal, which was also the first of her career.

The semifinal meeting between Stevenson and Messiah is scheduled for a 7 p.m. start on Wednesday at Anderson Field in Grantham, Pennsylvania. Video and live statistics links for the game can be found on the Field Hockey schedule page.