Overtime goal lifts Field Hockey past Quinnipiac in home opener
It took the Central Michigan field hockey team until mid-October to record their first home win during the 2015 season.
However on Saturday, the Chippewas 2-1 overtime victory against Quinnipiac, made it clear they didn't want to wait that long in 2016.
With five minutes remaining in the sudden-death period, junior Alex Gonda scored the game winning goal for CMU, improving the Chippewas record to 1-3 on the season.
"To get a win this early, we earned it," said head coach Molly Pelowski. "We deserved it and I'm just really proud of the direction we're moving in. There's more to come."
After her first collegiate start against Michigan State, freshman goalkeeper Abigail Ebersole became the epitome of resiliency in her second ever collegiate appearance.
Even having been outshot 13-5 in the first period, Ebersole's eight saves allowed CMU to remain in the game despite a sluggish offensive start.
"She hung in there," Pelowski said of Ebersole. "She stuck to her game. She kept it simple today, she stuck to her strengths today and she did a great job."
Scotland native, freshman Jasmine Banks recorded her first collegiate goal of her career in the first period to tie the game. Banks made up for three of the five shots on goal during the period.
"It's great for our team, they've been working really hard for this," Pelowski said. "It just builds our confidence and momentum moving into the end of September."
Looking ahead, CMU hosts no.12 ranked Louisville on Friday at 3 p.m.
