MANCHESTER, N.H. – Despite seven saves by freshman Shauna Whittemore (Bennington, N.H.), Megan Bird scored in the 82nd minute to lift Franklin Pierce University to a 1-0 overtime victory against the Saint Anselm College field hockey team Tuesday evening at Grappone Stadium.
The Hawks drop to 4-8 on the season, including 2-3 in Northeast-10 play, while the Ravens snap a nine-game losing streak to improve to 3-9, 1-5 NE-10.
With just 3:34 left in the first overtime, Jessica Rogers initiated a corner sequence as she struck the ball toward the top of the left side of the circle to Bird, who ripped a shot that made it through everyone and into the right side of the cage to end the contest.
Saint Anselm had plenty of opportunities to score as they outshot Franklin Pierce, 23-11, including 11-1 in the second frame. The Hawks controlled the first 30 minutes of action, rarely letting the ball leave the Ravens' end of the field as they accumulated an 8-4 advantage in shots.
One of the Hawks' better chances came early in the 42nd minute they were awarded a penalty stroke. Senior Kristina Katsikis (Hanover, Mass.) attempted the stroke, but did not appear to make solid contact as the ball bounced toward Franklin Pierce goalkeeper Sarah Cote, who easily kicked it away.
Saint Anselm had one last chance in regulation as they were awarded a penalty corner as time expired, but came up empty.
The Hawks controlled the first five minutes of overtime, sending four quick shots at Cote, who was only forced to stop one of the attempts. The Ravens then grabbed control and fired the game's final six shots.
Franklin Pierce nearly used a 2-on-1 break to put the game to rest in the 75th minute, but Chanelle Letarte's pass from right to left, which would have given Chelsey Burnell an open shot at Whittemore, was intercepted by a sprinting Nicole Guimond (Fairfield, Maine).
Letarte and Burnell did connect just over a minute later, however, but Whittemore came out to her right and stacked the pads to thwart the attempt.
Saint Anselm held a 9-8 edge in shots on goal, while penalty corners were even at 12 apiece.
The Hawks return to action Saturday, Oct. 6 at 1 p.m. when they travel to take on Adelphi University. The Hawks return home Saturday, Oct. 13 at 7 p.m. when they play host to Southern Connecticut State University under the lights at Grappone Stadium. Stay up-to-date with the latest news, including game previews and recaps, directly from the Saint Anselm College athletic department by friending us on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/STAHawks) and following us on Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/STAHawks).
