Senior Liz Hall continued her stellar play with the game-winning goal and an assist in the Owls’ 2-1 overtime victory at Worcester State. (Photo by Mickey Curtis)
WORCESTER – Westfield State senior Liz Hall (Southwick, MA) recorded the game winner just 2:35 into overtime to help the Owls outlast Worcester State, 2-1, in Little East Conference field hockey action this afternoon, Oct. 13, at Coughlin Field.
Midway through the first stanza, Worcester State (2-11, 0-8 LEC) looked as if they had gained the 1-0 advantage when senior Ally Valencia (Foxboro, MA) unleashed a laser from the top of the circle off a penalty corner and into the back of the cage. However, the shot was ruled dangerous and the goal was waved off.
This proved to be a big break for Westfield State (9-4, 5-3 LEC) as less than three minutes later, Hall was able to find junior Sarah Pliszka (Enfield, CT) open on the left side where she knocked the ball home for the 1-0 lead.
Valencia then had another opportunity off a corner to tie the score just before the half, but she was stonewalled by Westfield State senior net-minder Khrystyna Mitchell (Shelburne Falls, MA) with 1:53 left in the period.
At the intermission the Blue and Gold held the slight edge in shots, 8-7, while the Owls led in penalty corners, 7-3.
The Lancers were able to swing the momentum in their favor early in the second half when sophomore Kelli McPherson (Mansfield, MA) connected on one of her game high nine shots of the afternoon (5 shots on goal) as she put home her own rebound to tie the contest at 1-1 with 29:36 remaining in the contest.
The Blue and Gold then had a great chance to take the one goal advantage with under 10 minutes to play when both McPherson and freshman Krissy Kenney (Rehoboth) each fired shots from point blank range, but they were turned away by Mitchell.
As the overtime period began the Owls took complete control of the session when freshman Taylor Chase (Holden, MA) was able to connect with Hall on a breakaway from the left side where she chipped the ball into the open net for the 2-1 final just 2:35 into the frame.
Mitchell was strong in net all day for the Blue and White as she turned away nine of the 10 shots she saw while senior Rebecca Mullen (Peabody, MA) collected four stops for the Lancers.
Worcester State ended the game leading in shots, 19-17, and Westfield State recorded the edge in penalty corners, 13-6.
