Manchester, N.H. – The Bloomsburg field hockey team opened the 2023 season with a 2-1 win over Southern New Hampshire University on Thursday night.
 
Junior Bella Culp (Dauphin, Pa./Central Dauphin) contributed on both goals for Bloomsburg (1-0) as the Huskies held off a late comeback attempt from Southern New Hampshire (0-1).
 
It was a defensive battle from the opening whistle as the first shot of the contest came three minutes in from senior Emily Swineford (Mt. Pleasant Mills, Pa./Selinsgrove Area).
 
The Penmen had a chance to net the game's first goal on a penalty stroke at the 5:15 mark of the first quarter. On the shot, junior goaltender Jackie Nevel (Nescopeck, Pa./Berwick Area) made a diving stick save to keep the game scoreless.
 
Six minutes into the second quarter, Culp fired the ball into the shooting circle where Swineford was waiting to tip in the Huskies' first goal of the year.
 
The maroon and gold carried the one-goal lead into the final three minutes of the contest before earning a corner. On the ensuing attempt Culp launched a shot into the right side of the cage to extend the lead. Jessica Serafin (Worcester, Pa./Methacton) earned the assist on the play.
 
SNHU attempted a late comeback, netting a goal with 1:26 remaining.
 
The Penmen had an opportunity to tie the game on a corner with 35 seconds remaining, however Bloomsburg forced the shot wide to secure the first win of the season.
 
Culp led the team with three points while Nevel picked up the win, saving two shots in the game.
 
The Huskies continue their New England road trip with a matchup against Franklin Pierce on Saturday starting at 11:00 AM.