Field Hockey Drops Double OT Heart-breaker to Eastern Mennonite, 2-1

TOWSON, Md. - It took 90 minutes of gameplay, then a best of five round of penalty strokes to decide it, but visiting Eastern Mennonite was able to outlast the Goucher College field hockey team, 2-1, on Tuesday evening at Beldon Field.

With the defeat, the Gophers fell to 0-2 on the year, while Eastern Mennonite improved to 2-1 with the win.

In the opening frame of the contest, Goucher controlled play, holding a 6-1 edge on shots after the first 35 minutes. Unfortunately for the Gophers, EMU made four saves on each shot Goucher put on frame in the half, then scored on their lone scoring opportunity in the 33rd minute to take a 1-0 lead into halftime.

The second half was in reverse. Eastern Mennonite held an 8-2 edge on shots in the frame, but the Goucher defense never relented, as first-year goalie Devin Brashear made six saves in the period.

In the 58th minute, the Gophers offense finally got a scoring chance via a penalty corner, and Goucher cashed in, as sophomore Ariana Hooper (San Diego, Calif.) scored off an assist from junior Valerie Mendoza (San Diego, Calif.) to tie the game up at 1-1.

That score held through the rest of regulation, then through 20 minutes of overtime, as both teams failed to convert on scoring chances in both extra frame. This sent the match to a penalty stroke shootout to decide a victor after 90 minutes.

There, EMU was victorious in the best-of-five competition, scoring three goals to Goucher's zero, to take the victory, 2-1.

Overall, both Goucher and EMU fired 13 shots, apiece, in the win, with the visiting Royals holding a 10-6 edge in corners. On defense, Brashear ended the match with five saves, as well.

The Goucher College field hockey team returns to action on Saturday, taking on Ramapo at 11 a.m. at Beldon Field.

--GOPHERS--