Gulls Come from Behind in OT Thriller; Allen Nets the Game Winner

BEVERLY, Mass. – The Endicott field hockey team hosted Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) opponent the University of New England on Tuesday evening. After two second half goals and an overtime goal by junior Ashleigh Allen (Glastonbury, Conn.) the Gulls soared to a 3-2 victory. Endicott remains undefeated in the CCC sitting at 7-1(3-0) while the Nor'easters fall to 5-2 (3-1 CCC).

The Gulls will see action next on Thursday evening when they travel to non-conference opponent MIT on at 6:00 p.m. The University of New England will play next on Saturday, September 27^th as they host conference opponent Roger Williams for a 1:00 p.m. game.

The first half was a battle as the Nor'easters controlled the tempo outshooting the Gulls 11-4 while forcing rookie goalkeeper, Cheka Ventura (Lawrence, Mass.) to make five big stops.

Both sides were working the offensive end while the Blue and Green earned six penalty corners to University of New England's, four. In the opening minutes senior Erin Bibber (Charlton, Mass.) ripped a shot at goal but senior Elizabeth LeClair (Wilton, Maine) stopped the ball on the goal line to earn her first defensive save of the season.

10 minutes later the Nor'easters continued to pepper the Endicott defense while senior Hannah Warren (Harrison, Maine) blasted a shot off a penalty corner that soared into the air and was heading towards the top shelf, but senior Alyssa Clark (Gorham, Maine) lifted her stick up and blocked the shot for a defensive save. Following the save the ball continued to roll towards the goal where the ball hit LeClair's foot to cause a penalty stroke.

Senior Beth Sullivan (Cumberland, R.I.) took the stroke and shot for Ventura's weak side but she was able to make the stop to keep the game scoreless.

With seven seconds remaining in the first half the Nor'easters took the 1-0 lead after freshman Olivia Madore (Arundel, Maine) ripped a shot that hit the post and trickled into the back of the net.

The second half showed a stronger group of Gulls that pushed the offensive unit under the leadership of senior Emily Sawchuck (Cumberland, Maine). Before the Blue and Green got into their rhythm the University of New England made it a two goal game in the opening minutes after sophomore Nicole Matarozzo (Wolfeboro, N.H.) cranked her fifth goal of the season.

The Gulls finally answered back eight minutes later after Sawchuck netted her fifth goal of the season off a beautiful pass from freshman Maggie Layo (Sandwich, Mass.) to make it a 2-1 score. With 10 minutes to go in regulation rookie Olivia Larson (Cheshire, Conn.) came up big as she dove towards the goal for a ball from Sawchuck to make the tip-in to tie up the game. The goal marked the first career goal for Larson in a Blue and Green uniform.

After countless efforts from both sides the regulation 70 minutes of play ended in a 2-2 stalemate forcing an overtime period.

The Gulls controlled the tempo of the overtime period forcing many opportunities, led by Sawchuck. With just under two minutes into extra time, Sawchuck was battling for goal in the deep left corner. The Nor'easters were able to steal the ball and attempted to move up field, but Allen forced her stick in at the top of the circle to steal the possession and cranked a shot from the top of the circle that soared into the back of the net to secure the victory. The goal marked the second overtime goal on the season for Allen as she recorded her fifth goal and fourth game winning goal on the season.

Ventura sealed the victory with 12 huge saves in the 71:53 minutes of play while her counterpart, sophomore Holly Smith (Peabody, Mass.) made five stops.