Field Hockey Team Wins in OT
(Houghton,
N.Y.)—It took 25 minutes of extra time, but the Houghton College
field hockey team beat SUNY Geneseo 2-1 Wednesday night on a
goal by junior midfielder C.J. Lang.
“It was a very even game,” said Rachael Allison,
Houghton’s head coach, “SUNY Geneseo dominated the first half
and then in the second half the momentum changed.”
The Blue Knights outshot Houghton 8-3 in the first half,
forcing Highlander goalkeeper Ashley Farr to make five saves.
They also enjoyed a 4-2 edge in penalty corners.
In the second half, Houghton started to win more midfield
battles, and the play went end to end. Houghton had a 2-0 edge
in penalty corners in the second half, and shots were 4-3 for
Geneseo.
With 22:49 remaining, the Blue Knights’ Michelle
Milkovich dribbled in from the right side and fired a bullet
past Farr to give Geneseo the lead.
Houghton almost scored off the ensuing possession, but
Emily O’Leary recorded one of her seven saves to turn them back.
It wasn’t until 6:43 remained that Houghton tied it up.
Emily VanEenwyk buzzed a cross through the arc that
Ashley Hoffman one-timed into the cage for her 11th
goal of the season.
Houghton dominated the first overtime period, outshooting
Geneseo 6-0 and missing the best opportunity when Jenny Huyett
hit the post.
Geneseo came back to outshoot Houghton 4-3 in the second
overtime, also hitting the post.
Finally, with exactly five minutes left to play, Lang
gathered in a loose ball in the area and pushed it past
O’Leary’s pads. “There was a big pile-up in the mouth of the
goal,” said Allison, “CJ told me that she was determined to keep
pushing until it went in, and that’s exactly what happened.”
For the game, Geneseo outshot Houghton 16-15; Houghton
had a 6-5 edge in penalty corners. Each keeper made seven saves.
It is the third time this season that the Highlanders
have won in overtime—all three times by the same 2-1 score. This
win gives them a 6-4 record.
Houghton hosts Wells College for Homecoming on Saturday
at noon.
