SPRINGFIELD, Ohio -- Sophomore midfelder
Lindsey Blount (Lockport, N.Y. / Starpoint) ripped home the game-winning goal in the early stages of overtime to help the Washington & Jefferson College field hockey team stun host Wittenberg by a 2-1 margin in North Coast Athletic Conference play Friday evening.
The victory improves the Presidents to 2-1 in NCAC play and 3-4 overall. The loss drops the Tigers to 0-1 in the NCAC and 5-3 overall.
The Presidents showed great resolve and perseverance in Friday's win. After seeing the game's start time delayed nearly two hours due to travel, W&J worked extra time to erase a halftime deficit, force overtime and secure the victory.
It appeared the teams would head into halftime in a scoreless tie after a competitive first half. However, Wittenberg put three shots on goal after making a rush up field. After a pair of saves by W&J, the Tigers finally were able to sneak one into the cage. The score by Maddy Krasnow gave the Tigers the 1-0 edge at halftime.
Wittenberg controlled the play in the third, as the hosts tallied the only two shots on goal and all five penalty corners during the quarter. The Tigers were unable to extend their lead and the score remained 1-0 heading to the fourth quarter.
The momentum shifted in the fourth quarter when W&J turned things up offensively. The Presidents forced a pair of penalty corners and a pair of shots on goal.
The second penalty corner of the fourth resulted in some solid execution by the Presidents to even the score with just about six minutes remaining. Junior defender
Ella Phillips (Arnold, Md./Broadneck) inserted the ball to sophomore
Lily Giering (Reading, Pa./Exeter Township), who knifed through the defense on her way to the cage before passing off to Phillips, who in turn passed the ball in front of the net to senior forward
Hailey Wachowiak (Wexford, Pa./North Allegheny), who was positioned in front. Wachowiak was able to do the rest, as the senior tallied her NCAC-leading eighth goal of the season. Wachowiak, the reigning NCAC Player of the Week, has now scored in five-straight games overall.
Wittenberg had three penalty corner opportunities in the closing seconds of regulation. W&J was able to thwart those chances and send the game to overtime.
W&J wasted little time in overtime in recording the game-winning score. After drawing another penalty corner chance a minute into the extra session, Phillips sent the pass out top. Blount then smashed the ball past the Wittenberg defense and into the back of the cage.
The goal was the third overall and second game-winning goal of the season for Blount.
Anastasia Godat (Baltimore, Md. Concordia Preparatory School) recorded eight saves to improve her record to 3-4 this season. Phillips finished with a pair of assists.
Wittenberg held a 15-12 advantage in shots. However, W&J edged Wittenberg by a 10-9 margin in shots on goal. The Tigers posted a 10-5 advantage in penalty corners. Both goalkeepers made eight saves.
W&J continues its weekend trip when they face Transylvania University for another NCAC match on Sunday, Sept. 24. Start time is scheduled for 12 p.m.
