Boxscore
ITHACA, N.Y. – Kelley Kantarian registered the game-winning goal just 1:35 into overtime to lift the Big Red field hockey team to a 2-1 victory over Lock Haven this afternoon on Marsha Dodson Field. Kantarian's heroics were preceded by Kate Thompson's spectacular goal with just 37 seconds remaining in regulation, which sent the game into the extra session.
“We knew it would be a tight game and this was a good win for us against a quality team,” said head coach Donna Hornibrook. “Lock Haven is consistently at the top of its conference and I thought they had a great defensive game. I am proud that our team played with composure and made the big plays down the stretch when it counted. We hung in the game mentality and that put us in a position to win late.”
Cornell (4-0) dominated the game, outshooting the Eagles, 18-5, and taking nearly three times as many penalty corners (8-3).
In addition to the goals by Thompson and Kantarian, the Big Red got assists from Catie De Stio, Natalie Appleton and Mattie Prodanovic.
In goal, Alex Botte made one save and allowed the Eagles' lone goal in the first half, before Mel Jue came on in relief. Jue did not register a save, but did breakup a Lock Haven rush late in the second half to keep the Big Red in the game. Junior Sarah Sanders also registered a defensive save for Cornell.
Lock Haven (3-2) used a stifling defense and outstanding goaltending by Erin Terreson, who finished with nine saves, to hold the Big Red off the scoreboard until the final minute of the contest.
With time winding down in the game, De Stio carried the ball into the circle and drew a penalty corner. The junior attacker, serving as the team's inserter, sent the ball to Appleton, who handled a bad hop and pushed he ball out wide to the left side of the cage. Thompson finished the ball with a low, hard strike that went through Terreson's legs.
Thompson also had a hand in setting up the Big Red's overtime goal, as she carried the ball along the left side baseline before centering a pass to Prodanovic, who one-touched it to Kantarian. The reigning Ivy League Player of the Week ripped a shot to the far post to give Cornell the victory.
Lock Haven's goal came in the 27th minute when a turnover deep in the Big Red zone set up an odd-man rush. Amy Hordendorf centered the ball in front of the Cornell goal and Suzann Hobart pushed the ball to the far post to give the Eagles the early 1-0 lead.
The Big Red is back in action next week as it opens Ivy League play at Penn on Friday, Sept. 18 at Franklin Field at 5 p.m.
