WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – Despite three points apiece from seniors Trish O'Dwyer (Dublin, Ireland/Loreto Beaufort) and Amanda Schoenfeld (West Sayville, N.Y./Connetquot) and holding a 3-1 halftime lead, the Monmouth University field hockey team fell, 4-3, in overtime to No. 20 Michigan State, Saturday afternoon at So Sweet A Cat Field. The Hawks, who hosted a nationally ranked team for the fourth time in the last eight seasons, slip to 4-6 with the overtime loss, the first time they played an extra session with a ranked team, while the Spartans, playing in their sixth overtime game of the season, improve to 7-4 with the victory.
Monmouth starting goalkeeper Christen Piersanti (Bridgewater, N.J./Bridgewater-Raritan) came out of the cage to play the ball along the end line where Abby Barker sent a feed back toward the center of the circle where Becky Stiles hammered home a shot into the empty net 1:50 into the extra session to secure the victory.
“I thought we won the first half and in the second half their press got the best of us,” commented head coach Carli Figlio. “I was really pleased with the fight the team showed and we are really starting to become a true team, which is extremely important as we get closer to conference play. Today showed that with the right attitude and the right preparation we can play with and compete with anyone in the country.”
The Blue and White outshot the Spartans 13-5 in the opening half and earned seven penalty corner opportunities compared to five for MSU. Following a Michigan State turnover in its defensive zone, Schoenfeld collected the loose ball and dribbled into the circle and unloaded a shot from the left side to break the scoreless tie in the 22nd minute. The Spartans Alli Helwig's penalty stroke 3:05 later evened the score at 1-1.
In the 31st minute, Schoenfeld and O'Dwyer connected with a give-and-go inside the circle to free up Meg Donahue (Wyomissing, Pa./Berks Catholic) on the opposite post where the rookie took O'Dwyer's feed and one-touched it into an empty cage for her fourth goal of the season.
With under a minute to play in the half, Cori Allen (Gibbsboro, N.J./Eastern Regional [Iowa]) sent a pass inside the circle that tipped of O'Dywer's stick to Shoenfeld. The senior settled it and sent a pass through the defender's leg to O'Dwyer who was one-on-one with Michigan State's goalkeeper, Sierra Patton. O'Dwyer faked a shot, forcing Patton to the ground, and pulled back to rip one into the netting for her fifth goal of the year and her fourth marker in as many games.
Monmouth held onto the two goal lead until 10:02 left in regulation when the Spartans cut the lead on Allie Ahern's goal off a corner opportunity. Barker's deflection with five minutes remaining in regulation knotted the game at 3-3 and forced the overtime session.
Piersanti made six saves for MU in defeat, while Patton turned away eight shots to capture the win for Michigan State.
For the game, Michigan State edged Monmouth in shots, 18-17, but Monmouth controlled the penalty corners, 8-7.
Monmouth returns to action tomorrow, October 5th, when it travels to Villanova for a 5:30 p.m. start with the Wildcats.
