CMU field hockey wins in double overtime
CMU's field hockey team celebrates after a goal scored by freshman Zoey Emrick during a game against Appalachian State, Friday, Sept. 29 at Cristy Freese Field. The goal was Emrick's second of the season. (CM-Life | Marie Underwood)
With Central Michigan field hockey down a goal and in need of a spark on offense, junior forward Mallory Camryn stole the ball from a Hofstra University defender and started running on a breakaway.
Facing resistance in the shooting circle, Camryn squeezed a pass to sophomore forward Zoey Emrick who shot it into the net for Central Michigan’s first goal of the afternoon. The goal tied the game at one goal a piece and stole the momentum for the Chippewas.
After a long game that needed one and a half overtime periods to decide the outcome, it was the Chippewas who triumphed, 3-2, to earn their third win of the season on Saturday.
CMU's record moves to 3-1 on the season.
Both teams struggled to keep offensive possession to start the game. Despite a couple of good looks at the net, the Pride only had two shots during the first period.
The Chippewas, who were given the only penalty corner in the quarter, only managed one shot on goal.
The second quarter gave way to a little more action. Central Michigan went on the attack early. Hofstra was awarded a yellow card midway through the second quarter when Pride sophomore forward Jaime Lewis was forced to sit out for five minutes.
Even though they were down a player, the Pride stayed aggressive, and pressured the Chippewa defense for the rest of the half.
The effort by the team paid off, as Hofstra junior defender Jamie Mc Millan took the pass off the penalty corner and slid the ball past CMU’s goaltender with 1:46 left in the half for the first goal of the game. The goal put Hofstra ahead 1-0 going into halftime.
After a scoreless third, CMU did not waste any time scoring in the final quarter. 42 seconds into the period, Emrick took that slick pass from Camryn and put the ball into the goal to tie the game.
The momentum change was evident. After attacking the Pride for much of the fourth quarter, the Chippewas scored their second goal of the game. Senior forward Isabella D'Alessandro took a pass from freshman forward Carolena Ryon and put it past the goaltender to take the 2-1 lead with less than three minutes to go.
Just when it looked like the Chippewas would take home the victory, Hofstra defender Karoff scored the tying goal with an assist from graduate midfielder Tara McNally with 36 seconds left to send the game into overtime.
Both teams had chances to score in overtime, including a penalty stroke attempt for Camryn that was blocked by Hofstra junior goaltender Pieke Roos. The score remained tied at two after 10 extra minutes, sending the game into a second overtime period.
About two minutes into double overtime, Hofstra’s Mc Millan was given a yellow card, leaving the Pride short-handed for another five minutes. Playing with one less player, Hofstra struggled to keep the Chippewas at bay, and it was only a matter of time before CMU found the net.
After a total of 73 minutes of grueling play, Camryn took a long lead pass from sophomore fullback Hailey Bainer that left her one-on-one with the goalie. Using a spin move, she stepped past the goaltender and scored the final goal to win the game for the Chippewas 3-2.
CMU ended the game with 13 shots, 10 of which were shots on goal. Jenna Billig had four saves after facing 12 shots and allowing two goals.
Central Michigan has a short turnaround as it faces off against the University of Maine on Sunday at 1 p.m.
