Springfield, Mass. Junior Erica McLean (Branford, Conn.) contributed a multi-point effort including potting the game winner marker just 1:46 into overtime to help the American International College Yellow Jackets upend the Bellarmine University Knights, 2-1, in non-conference field hockey action this afternoon at Abdow Field.
The victory solidifies the first win for Ashley Mazzoli as a head coach after five seasons serving as assistant coach for AIC.
The Yellow Jackets (1-0) controlled position for the majority of the first half and put a lot of pressure on the Bellarmine defense firing off 14 first half shots to just six for the Knights.
Midway through the first period AIC had numerous chances to score from point blank range from sophomore Taylor Ruscillo (Carle Place, N.Y.), McLean, and senior Jenna Masionis (Ashland, Mass.) who combined for six shots over a one minute span.
However, each chance was met by Bellarmine senior net-minder Lara Williams (Louisville, Ky.) who recorded four saves in that time frame.
Just a few minutes later the Yellow Jackets again threatened this time it was Masionis by herself riffling off three consecutive chances only to be stonewalled by Williams to keep the score 0-0 headed into halftime.
Williams finished the half with an eye-popping 10 saves.
The Yellow Jackets continued their high octane offensive effort and finally capitalized when Ruscillo was able to find the back of the cage on the right side after McLean's initial drive was thwarted aside for the 1-0 edge in the 42nd minute.
The Knights (0-1) battled a tough AIC back line all afternoon as Yellow Jacket senior classmates Jacqueline Millard (Nassau, N.Y.), Amanda Johannes (Killingworth, Conn.) and junior Emily Kollar (Leighton, Pa.) congested the passing lanes all game and combined for eight blocked shots.
Bellarmine continued to push and finally got the reward they were searching for when sophomore Kathryn Schneidtmiller (Louisville, Ky.) corralled a rebounded shot off the stick of senior Alex Ojeda (Edwardsville, Ill.) and deposited it into the back of the cage for the 1-1 tie in the 46th minute.
Both teams traded chances in the waning moments of regulation but weren't able to break the tie and the game headed into extra time.
The Knights had the early chance producing a penalty corner just one minute into overtime but AIC was able to fight it off and direct the shot wide of the cage.
The Black and Gold then took advantage of the open field and their speed as Masionis rushed up the left side and sent a beautiful pass to the front of the cage where McLean was able to finish as her momentum sent her flying past the left side of the cage where the celebration ensued with just 1:46 off the clock in the extra frame.
The Yellow Jackets ended the contest with a 28-20 edge in shots while also gathering the 14-9 edge in penalty corners.
Junior Ainslee Penfield (Greenfield, Mass.), who was the Jackets second leading scorer a season ago, recorded her first career win between the pipes for AIC as she registered six saves in the victory while Williams stopped 18 shots in the defeat and fell to 0-1 on the season.
Both teams have a quick turnaround as they return to action tomorrow afternoon. AIC remains home to take on Slippery Rock at 2 p.m. while Bellarmine continues east on I-90 and travels to Assumption for a 1 p.m. affair.
