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BLOOMSBURG—Bloomsburg University will play host to the 2002 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Field Hockey championship on Saturday. Game time is 1 pm between the top-seeded Bloomsburg University Huskies and the number two-seeded Lock Haven Lady Eagles. Ticket prices are $7 for adults and $2 for students.

The Huskies come into the game with a mark of 18-0 for the year. Bloomsburg is ranked number one in Division II according to the latest National Field Hockey Coaches Association poll.

Nikki Hartranft

Bloomsburg reached the PSAC title game by beating East Stroudsburg, 2-1, on Tuesday. Shanna Fritz (Benton/Benton) started the scoring for the Huskies 12 minutes into the game before Kerri Beckhorn (Tunkhannock/Tunkhannock) scored what proved to the game winning goal at the 19 minute mark. East Stroudsburg cut the deficit with a goal five minutes later, but the Bloomsburg defense kept the Warriors off the scoreboard the rest of the game to advance.

Bloomsburg, 10-6 in title game appearances, is aiming for its 11th PSAC championship. This is the Huskies' first appearance in title game since 1999 when it beat Lock Haven, 2-0. In PSAC title games at Bloomsburg featuring Lock Haven, the Huskies hold a 4-1 advantage. The only win for Lock Haven at Bloomsburg in the PSAC was in 1998, a 2-1 victory for the Haven.

The Bloomsburg offense features a potent attack that averages 4.1 goals per game. In all 11 players have scored for the Huskies this season led by 14 goals from Shanna Fritz. A junior, Fritz also is tied for the team lead in assists with eight. Second on the team in goals with 13 is another junior Nikki Hartranft (Oley/Oley Valley) who has also contributed five assists. A third junior, Sheila Zilinski (Barto/Boyertown), is third in goals with 11 and is tied for Fritz for the team lead in assists with eight.

Steph Beck

Beckhorn has added seven goals and one assist this season, while Marie Zorzi (Mountaintop/Crestwood) has six goals and three assists. Steph Beck (Orefield/Parkland), who scored the game-winning goal against Lock Haven last week, has scored six times on the year.

In goal, senior Trish Leitzel (Richfield/Mifflinburg) is making her last season her best season. Leitzel has allowed just eight goals and made 49 saves and has posted 10 solo shutouts to go along with her 0.46 goals against average. She recently had a streak of 570 without allowing a goal.

Lock Haven comes into the game with a record of 18-3 on the year. The Lady Eagles are ranked second in Division II according to the latest National Field Hockey Coaches Association poll.

Lock Haven reached the PSAC title game by beating Shippensburg Thursday afternoon, 3-2. After a scoreless first half, Janelle Ebaugh scored at the 45th minute for a 1-0 lead. Three minutes later, Jen DeNault gave LHU a 2-0 lead before Nikki Sweger hit the cage at the 56-minute mark for the three-goal advantage. Shippensburg scored twice in the final three minutes but it wasn't enough to lift the Lady Raiders to victory.

Lock Haven is aiming for its 12th PSAC title. The Lady Eagles are 11-6 in title games and have advanced to the title game for the 14th consecutive time.

Leading the squad in scoring is senior forward Erika Grap, who has 15 goals and five assists. Junior midfielder Janelle Ebaugh ranks second with 11 goals and nine assists, while sophomore Kellie Kulina leads the team and the conference in assists with 12 while getting 12 goals. In goal for Lock Haven is Melissa Stubblefield who owns a 0.85 goals against average with 100 saves on the season. The sophomore has allowed 17 goals, while posting 17 shutouts.

Following the PSAC title game, both teams will be awaiting work on bids to the NCAA Field Hockey Championships next weekend. The bids will be announced Sunday night with the semi-finals to be played Friday, Nov. 8th and the finals on Nov. 10th.