No. 11 Amherst Stuns Field Hockey with Pair of Late Goals to Survive in Overtime
Amherst, MA --- Down 1-0 for most of the match, nationally-ranked Amherst leaned on a late equalizer from first-year Emma Zhang (St. Louis, MO) and an overtime goal from sophomore Caroline Busler (Greenwich, CT) to pick up a 2-1 win against visiting WPI in a non-conference field hockey match-up on Wednesday night at Hill Field.
The Mammoths, who are ranked 11th in the most recent National Field Hockey Coaches Association Top 25, remain unbeaten this season at 3-0 while the Crimson and Gray slip to 3-2 overall with both of its losses on the road to nationally-ranked squads
The Engineers withstood early pressure as sophomore goalkeeper Myles Lakin (Reading, MA) came up with a critical save in the opening quarter to keep the match scoreless. Lakin was tested throughout the contest, piling up 10 saves against the Mammoths' attack.
After a scoreless first quarter and a tightly contested second frame, WPI broke through in dramatic fashion. With less than a second remaining before halftime, Leah Uglevich (Maynard, MA ) capitalized on a defensive miscue and slipped a shot into the back of the cage to give the Crimson and Gray a 1-0 lead heading into the break.
The WPI defense stood tall in the third quarter, turning away three consecutive Amherst penalty corners in the closing minutes of the period. Lakin and the back line frustrated the Mammoths' scoring efforts and maintained the slim advantage entering the final stanza.
Amherst finally broke through with just under three minutes left in regulation, scoring the equalizer after pulling the goalie to force extra time. In overtime, the Mammoths converted on a cross in the third minute on a counter following a shot at the other end of the field by WPI's Abbey Powers (Halifax, MA) to complete the comeback and seal the 2-1 result.
Amherst finished with a 14-5 edge in shots, including 12-4 in shots on goal, and held a 13-1 advantage in penalty corners. Lakin made 10 saves in net for the Engineers, while the Mammoths' Grace Puchalski stopped three shots.
WPI is off until Tuesday, hosting city rival Worcester State in a 4pm matinee. Amherst concludes a brief two-game homestand on Saturday, entertaining rival and No. 5 Williams at 11am.
Portions of Release Courtesy Amherst Sports Information
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