Field Hockey Downs Springfield in Overtime, 2-1
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Oct. 13, 2009) – Senior forward Mary Kate Switchenko found the back of the cage 7:31 into overtime, propelling the Mount Holyoke College field hockey team to a thrilling 2-1 triumph over New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) foe Springfield College this evening at Alonzo Stagg Field. It was the Lyons first victory over the Pride since the 2004 season.
Springfield jumped out to a 1-0 edge just 4:55 into the match, when sophomore forward Alexa Carlson scored off a feed from senior midfielder Morgan Fein.
The Lyons battled back to even things up at one goal apiece in the 50th minute on senior forward Katelyn Frick’s sixth tally of the season. Sophomore midfielder Taylor Hedges was credited with the assist on the play.
From there, both squads went scoreless over the final 20 minutes of regulation, setting the stage for Switchenko’s dramatic overtime winner. In the eighth minute of the extra session, the forward broke in alone and flipped a shot over Springfield first year goalkeeper Anna Calano. It was her second match winner of the year and seventh of her career.
The Pride (6-7, 2-3 NEWMAC) went down despite a 19-10 advantage in the shot column. Sophomore goalkeeper Katie Gibson turned in a terrific effort for the Lyons, making a career high 18 saves. Calano finished with seven stops for the hosts.
Mount Holyoke (6-5, 2-3 NEWMAC) is slated to resume its league schedule on Friday, when it hosts Babson College at 4:30 p.m.