The top two seeded NCAA Division II field hockey teams are set to rumble for the 2022 national title.
East Stroudsburg, ranked No. 1, and Shippensburg, ranked No. 2, play Saturday in the finale.
Both teams won decisively against their opponents Thursday in the Final Four.
Assumption had great ball movement and was aggressive, but the Warriors’ defense couldn’t be rattled. East Stroudsburg advanced 3-0.
In Shippensburg’s game, its goalie allowed West Chester two goals. The Golden Rams had to fire off several rounds of shots to score. They fell 4-2 to Shippensburg.
Here’s what we know:
2022 NCAA Division II Championship
4 p.m. EST
No. 1 East Stroudsburg vs. No. 2 Shippensburg, at Seattle Pacific University’s Renton Memorial Stadium, Renton, Washington
East Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania
Coach: Sandy Miller
19-2 overall, 7-2 PSAC Conference (2022 PSAC Conference Champions)
East Stroudsburg hasn’t been to the last dance since 2018. They are vying for the program’s second national title. Against Assumption, senior Olivia Breen (Stroudsburg, Pa.) was first on the board in the third, which was followed up by freshman Julia Meijs’s (Hilversum, The Netherlands) goal. Senior Lia Parker (East Stroudsburg, Pa.) secured one more in the fourth. The Warriors are strong in the circle, and they enter it from both sides with the ability to shoot off their foot.
Their attack can launch a rocket either using backhand or forehand. The Warriors have won their last six contests.
Amy Supey (Lehman, Pa.) had four saves in the Assumption game. She works with an organized defense. Shippensburg’s going to have to deploy its strongest 3D skills and control the ball to score in the circle or earn corners.
Shippensburg, Shippensburg, Pennsylvania
Coach: Tara Zollinger
16-3 overall, 7-2 in the PSAC Conference
Ship has one of the strongest attacks, and goalie, in Division II. The reigning champs are going to want to leave the West Coast with the title.
The Warriors’ incredible defense is going to have to remain organized to handle top-scorers Agus Garibaldi (Recoleta, Argentina), Tess Jedeloo (Amsterdam, The Netherlands), and Lilly Cantabene (York, Pa.).
The last time Ship and East Stroudsburg clashed the Raiders won 1-0. In its game against West Chester, Ship also showed off its solid backfield.
Lindsay Tripodo (Gibbsboro, N.J.), in goal, is tremendously skillful from shot to rebound to clearing the ball out of the circle. As the last line of defense, she’s mentally equipped to deny the Warriors’ shooters.
