Allentown, Pa. – The Elmira College field hockey team delivered a thrilling comeback on Saturday afternoon, rallying from an early deficit to defeat Cedar Crest in overtime, 4-3.
LEADERS
Nicole Luther led with two goals on four shots, including the overtime game-winner.
Riley Dutcher and
Gabby Warter each added a goal, while
Madison Fleming recorded two shots on goal. In the cage,
Elara Rodriguez made nine saves, including a crucial one in overtime. Elmira finished with 18 shots, 13 on goal, and seven penalty corners.
PLAY-BY-PLAY
Cedar Crest jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the opening quarter, but Elmira quickly answered in the second. Dutcher got the Soaring Eagles on the board just 33 seconds into the quarter, cutting the deficit to 2-1.
After Cedar Crest regained a two-goal advantage (3-1), Elmira went to work and continued to apply pressure. Luther found the back of the cage with 6:48 remaining in the second quarter, bringing the Soaring Eagles within one heading into halftime (3-2).
Elara Rodriguez opened the third quarter with a pair of crucial saves, turning aside back-to-back shots at 39:37 and 41:48 to keep EC within striking distance. After weathering the early pressure, Elmira began to find its rhythm offensively. With just 38 seconds remaining in the quarter,
Madison Fleming put a shot on goal that was turned aside. The Soaring Eagles quickly went back to work and earned a penalty corner. Just 10 seconds later, Warter capitalized on the opportunity and found the back of the cage at 44:32 to pull Elmira even heading into the fourth quarter (3-3).
The Soaring Eagles controlled the fourth quarter offensively, firing nine shots and earning three penalty corners. Elmira put six shots on goal in the period, but Cedar Crest's goalkeeper turned each one aside to send the game to overtime.
Rodriguez came up with another big save 57 seconds into the extra period, and EC quickly turned the opportunity into the game-winner. With just 2:27 elapsed in overtime, Luther found the back of the cage for the second time on the afternoon, completing the comeback and giving the Soaring Eagles the 4-3 victory.
UP NEXT
EC will remain on the road as they travel to Oneonta, NY on Wednesday, September 16 for a matchup with SUNY Oneonta. Game time is slated for 4:00 PM.
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