NEW HAVEN, Conn. Junior Erica McLean (Branford, Conn.) potted a pair of goals including the game winner in overtime as American International College defeated Southern Connecticut State, 3-2, in Northeast-10 field hockey action this evening.
With the win the Yellow Jackets improve to 5-6 on the year and secure their first conference victory improving to 1-3 in the NE-10 while with the loss the Owls drop to 2-9 overall and 0-4 in conference play.
AIC wasted little time opening the scoring as McLean found the back of the net off a beautiful insertion off a penalty corner from sophomore Shea Homer (Glens Falls, N.Y.) just 2:05 into the game for the 1-0 edge.
Just over five minutes later the Black and Gold nearly extended the contest to a two-goal lead when freshman Liv Magni (Sweet Valley, Pa.) ripped one that caught nothing but iron keeping it a one-goal game.
The Owls used that to their advantage and were able to connect on the equalizer as freshman Colleen Murphy (Branford, Conn.) slipped one past Jacket junior net-minder Ainslee Penfield (Greenfield, Mass.) with help from classmate Emma Farrel for the 1-1 tie in the 24th minute.
Southern Connecticut then tilted the score in their favor in the 31st minute as sophomore Vienna Pallisco (Sherman, Conn.) blasted one to the back of the cage off a penalty stroke for the 2-1 score.
Homer then had another great fee to McLean during a penalty corner just 39 ticks before the first half buzzer but her shot was turned away by sophomore Alicia Morgan (Stafford, Conn.) who sacrificed her body for the defensive save.
Junior Emily Kollar (Lehighton, Pa.) had a chance at the rebound, but was stonewalled by Owl junior goalkeeper Audrey Dolloff (Raynham, Mass.) to preserve the 2-1 score headed into the intermission.
Senior Jenna Masionis (Ashland, Mass.) had a good bid for the tying score in the 42nd minute and again in the 44th minute, but was stuffed on each occasion by Dolloff keeping the one-goal advantage for the hosts.
Masionis finally tied things up late with just under three minutes to play in regulation as she spun around in the circle and fired a shot through the goalie's legs for the 2-2 and sending the game into overtime.
McLean was the hero as in the 75th minute the junior blasted one that was saved by Dolloff, however, she followed her own shot and put home the rebound for the 3-2 victory.
The Yellow Jackets outshot the Owls by a 28-12 clip including 19-4 on goal while also holding the slim 12-11 edge in penalty corners.
Penfield made two saves in the victory while Dolloff stopped 16 shots in the defeat.
AIC returns to action on Saturday, returning to Abdow Field for the first time in October, as they host the Franklin Pierce Ravens during a "Play for the Cure" game to promote Breast Cancer Awareness at 1 p.m.
