NEWARK, Del. - Old Dominion field hockey defeated former CAA foe Delaware 2-1 in overtime on Sunday at the Fred P. Rullo Stadium scored a penalty corner goal by Serena Langendoen.
All tied up at 1-1 after 60 minutes, the Monarchs began overtime with a shot from Decesaris which was saved by Merashoff, who committed a foul that resulted in a penalty corner for ODU. Zalewski connected with Langendoen, shooting right into the net for the sudden victory goal, finalizing the match 2-1.
“I’m proud that the team found a way to win. It wasn’t the prettiest game of hockey, but late in the season, it’s just a matter of getting the result.
I’m proud of the team’s persistence and toughness. We also had to overcome a player down for 6 minutes in overtime, only playing with 5 field players. This took a tremendous amount of effort and focus”. Said Head Coach Andrew Griffiths
The first quarter of the match proved to be slow for both sides of the pitch as only one shot per team was recorded. Old Dominion’s (7-7, 4-1 BIG EAST) Josi John began the match with a shot which was saved by Delaware’s (6-8) goalkeeper Kristi Merashoff. This was followed by a shot by Iris Bekker off a penalty corner from Kate Fiest to be saved by Suus Broers to end the first quarter.
In the second quarter the Monarchs looked to score with a shot by Madison Zalewski, which was saved by Merashoff, followed by another attempt by Avery Jackson which was saved as well. The first ODU penalty corner of the game were sent in by Amelie Zielcke but was broken up by the Blue Hen defense. A wide shot by Delaware’s Emma Miller and a foul on Sanci Molkenboer would send the game into halftime scoreless.
After the break, Broers saved a penalty corner attempt by Bekker sent by Feist. Then the ODU defense saved another penalty corner pass attempt by Delaware’s Noelle Sabbagh. Josie Painter took a shot against the Blue Hens which was saved by Merashoff. Two more ODU penalty corners by Zalewski would be denied by the Delaware defense and sent the game into the final quarter of regulation.
Monarch Isabella Decesaris opened the fourth quarter with a shot and was saved by Merashoff, warranting a foul for a penalty corner. Zalewski sent it in, connected with Langendoen who made it past Merashoff for the first goal of the game in the first five minutes of the fourth quarter. A Delaware penalty corner by Fiest connected with Bekker, which Broers came out of the cage to save, then deflecting off the save Amanda Rattay was able to tie up the game 1-1 in the final minutes of the game to send it into overtime.
All tied up, the Monarchs began overtime with a shot from Decesaris which was saved by Merashoff causing a foul permitting a penalty corner for ODU. Zalewski connected with Langendoen, shooting right into the net for the sudden-victory goal, finalizing the match 2-1.
“And for Serena to get the game-winning overtime goal for the second game in a row - what an impressive feat”. Added Griffiths
The Monarchs recorded 10 shots, nine on goal and six corners. The Blue Hens recorded 10 shots, four on goal and five corners. Goalkeeper Broers recorded three saves, while Delaware's Merashoff recorded seven.
UP NEXT:
The Monarchs travel to Storrs, Conn. on Friday October 24 to face the UConn Huskies. The game is scheduled for a 1 p.m. start.