DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. (Oct. 14, 2017) – Led by the game-winning goal from junior Alicia Williams (Lake Grove, N.Y. / Sachem North) in the 75th minute of action, and a game-high ten saves from junior Cheradyn Pettit (Colorado Springs, Colo./Lewis Palmer), the Mercy College field hockey team earned a 1-0 overtime victory over ECAC Division II Field Hockey League foe Bellarmine University on Saturday afternoon at Mercy Field.
The Mavericks (4-10, 1-7 ECAC) pick up their second consecutive win of the season, while the Knights (5-9, 3-5 ECAC) fall to the Mavericks for the first time in program history.
Williams finished with two shots and the game winning goal for the Mavericks. Sophomore Rebecca Podskoch (Swoyersville, Pa / Wyoming Valley West) recorded a defensive save in the contest. Junior Kayly Bryan (Rocky Point, N.Y. / Rocky Point) recorded one shot on goal. Pettit played a full 74:17 minutes of action in the cage, recording 10 saves to earn her third shutout for the season.
Bellarmine was led by Elle Lichte who recorded three shots on goal. Lillie Nitzken added two shots for the Knights. Heather Gregory played a full 74:17 minutes in cage and recorded two saves in the losing effort.
The Knights forced Pettit to be alert in the net right off the bat, as they were able to draw three corners and fire off three shots on goal in the first six minutes of play. The Mavericks stayed strong, as their defense did not allow a single goal despite ten shots and eleven goals from the Knights. Pettit's nine saves and a Podskoch defensive save in the first half allowed for the score to stay 0-0 after the first half of play.
The second half was a back and forth battle, with only four shots taken between both teams. After 35 minutes of play, neither team was able to find the back of the cage and the game was forced to go into the first period of overtime.
Bellarmine got off to a strong start in the first period of overtime, as they were able to draw the first penalty corner of the period. The Mavericks defense did not allow for a shot off of the corner, and instead was able to bring the ball up to the Maverick circle and draw a penalty corner. It was in the 75th minute that a shot from Bryan at the top of the circle would allow for Williams to find the back of the cage off of a save from Gregory. The Mavericks earned the 1-0 victory over Bellarmine University in the 75th minute of action for the first time in program history.
Despite the loss, the Knights held a 13-4 edge in shots and a 14-1 edge in penalty corners.
Head Coach Deirdre O'Neill and the Mavericks resume action on Thursday, October 19th when they host Belmont Abbey in an ECAC matchup at 4 p.m.
