Lions Top Knights, Advance to ECAC DII Field Hockey League Championship
Box Score Tournament Central
ST. CHARLES, Mo. - Behind standout performances from Bridget Hoogendijk, Noor Fons, and a strong defensive effort the Lindenwood University Lions (16-2, 9-1 ECAC) defeated the Bellarmine University Knights (8-11, 5-5 ECAC) by a score of 4-0 to advance to the ECAC Division II Filed Hockey championship game.
Hoogendijk (Hendrik Ido Ambacht, Netherlands) recorded a hat-trick and Fons (Amsterdam, Netherlands) contributed a goal, while goalkeeper Skylar Starbeck recorded one save in the dominating effort for the Lions. Greta Banholzer (Hartland, Wis.) and Nicole Johnston (San Jose, Calif.) each recorded an assist in the win.
For Bellarmine, Mandi Insom (St Louis, MO) and Lillie Nitzken (Louisville, KY) tied for the team lead for shots with two and shots on goal with one.
Lindenwood jumped into the lead just under 20 minutes into the contest. Hoogendijk scored her first of three on the day. She cut across the front of the cage and finished two yards out unassisted to give the Lions a one-goal lead.
Not even two minutes later Hoogendijk picked up her second goal of the game, also unassisted. She intercepted a pass in front of the circle and scored on left side to give the Lions a 2-0 lead.
The score would remain the same heading into halftime. Just over five minutes into the second half, off a corner pass from Johnston, Fons finished in front of the circle for the Lions third goal of the game.
A minute and four second later the Lions tacked on their final goal of the contest. After Banholzer worked the ball into the circle, she passed it to Hoogendijk who finished in front of the cage for her third of the game.
With 10:14 left in the game, Starbeck was replaced by Mackenzie Litterst (New Albany, Oh.) who also made just one save.
The Knights put up a fight towards the end of the game. Isom worked the ball into the circle and Litterst had to make a kick save. Nitzken from the corner, took a shot that was deflected away by Litterst.
The Lions will face the winner of the second semifinal between Limestone College and Newberry College in Sunday's ECAC DII Field Hockey League Championship.
All games at the ECAC DII Field Hockey League Tournament will be streamed live via
ECAC All-Access. Fans may also stay updated on the upcoming conference tournament by connecting with the ECAC DII Field Hockey League on Twitter (@ECACD2FH).
ABOUT THE ECAC
Established in 1938, the ECAC is the nation's largest Conference, ranging in location from Maine to Georgia, and westerly to Missouri. The ECAC hosts numerous championships in men's and women's sports across Divisions I, II and III, offering opportunities for thousands of student-athletes. For more information, visit www.ecacsports.com.
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