SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts - It was back-and-forth in every way possible but Franklin Pierce University defeated the American International College field hockey team 2-1 in a shootout to secure a 4-3 Northeast 10 Conference win on Saturday, October 17.
AIC is now 3-7 overall and 1-4 in the NE10.
The first half was scoreless and nearly void of chances as the defenses were locked in; the one dangerous threat was a
Martina Pereyro breakaway on a turnover at the top of the circle, but Zoe Noorlag made a diving save to her left to keep AIC off the board.
In the third quarter, however, the goals started flowing freely. The first came on a penalty stroke that AIC drew off of a corner, and
Milagros Zanatelli made no mistake in netting her ninth of the season by flicking the ball into the upper left side of the net at 2:54.
The Ravens evened the game on a controversial goal at 7:42; a ball bounced off the foot of Avery MacMaster and right to Cecelia Keller at the stroke dot for an open look into the left corner of the cage.
However, less than three minutes later, AIC answered, as
Martina Pereyro pulled a shot into the right corner of the cage from near the goal line on the left side, scoring her fourth of the season at 10:25.
The Ravens drew level again just 51 seconds into the fourth, with Abigail Tarka ripping in a shot from the middle.
AIC retook the lead at 6:25, and it was Pereyro again, this time from the right side on a feed by
Maite Solari for her fifth of the campaign.
The Ravens pressed, and drew a late corner; Puck Wanders found Keller at the netmouth for a deflection goal at 14:51, forcing overtime.
Both teams had chances in the extra sessions, with Noorlag stopping four overtime shots and
Frederique den Hartog turning back three.
In the shootout, Wanders struck first, and though
Mar Busqueta answered, Reese Swanson scored what proved to be the winner.
AIC next plays at Bentley University at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 21.
