Rutgers Pulls Out 4-3 Overtime Win over UNH
Sep 28 | Field Hockey
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Senior forward Amy Lewis (Hainesport, N.J.) scored just over a minute into the overtime period to lift Rutgers to a 4-3 victory over UNH in field hockey action on Sunday afternoon at RU Stadium Complex.
Lewis teamed with junior Katie Feeley (Collingswood, N.J.) on the winning tally, a beautifully orchestrated give-and-go. The goal was the 21st of the season for Lewis, who leads the BIG EAST and the nation in goals per game.
The victory is the ninth of the season for Rutgers, the most wins under head coach Liz Tchou. The nine wins are also the most for the program since 1999 (10).
"The kids have so much heart and one of the spiritual goals of the team (this season) was to stay together. I know that is a cliché, however, they have shown it each and every game," Tchou said after the game. "I think to come off the game versus Georgetown, where we did not play our best and come in today and attack so well, after not having being able to have practice yesterday. I was very happy with how we stuck together."
Rutgers (9-1) got on the board first, just over two minutes into the contest. Junior Jessika Hoh (Allentown, Pa.) scored her second goal in as many games. The Scarlet Knights started the play off a corner. Lewis' shot was stopped by Wildcats goalkeeper Jenna Lehman. Hoh grabbed the ball off the rebound and sent it off a defender's stick and into the cage.
Eight minutes later, UNH (4-6) tied the contest. A breakaway by the visitors pulled RU goalkeeper Lauren DeCerbo out of box. Meg Shea cashed in to knot the game at 1-1.
RU's second penalty corner of the game would result in its second score. Junior Melissa Bowman (Ronks, Pa.) sent the corner into setter Jenna Bull (Oakville, Ontario). Bull pushed over to Lewis, who fired from the left side into the far side of the cage for a 2-1 lead in the 17th minute.
The Scarlet Knights would stretch the lead to 3-1 five minutes later. Off another penalty corner, Lewis elected to pass back to Bull. Bull worked the ball over to the right side, finding junior Brittany Bybel (Millville, N.J). Bybel, perched to the right of the cage, was able to shoot the ball to her left and back to Bowman. Bowman, who had snuck in on the far left of the goal, tapped it in for her third goal of the year.
With a 3-1 lead at intermission, UNH came out on attack in the second half. They drew four penalty corners in the first 18 minutes of the half, including three in a four-minute period. The Wildcats pulled to a goal on another breakaway from the visitors. Whitney Frates took a pass from Sarah Craigue and sprinted down the right side of field, sending shot attempt into the left corner to make it a 3-2 game with just over 17 minutes to play.
Seventy-five seconds later, UNH tied the game at 3-3 on a scuffle in front of the cage which resulted in a goal from Hayley Rausch.
Rutgers would have three penalty corner opportunities and six shots in the final 10 minutes but could not capitalize. Lehman made two exceptional saves and Lewis saw her attempt with 2:05 remaining hit the left post.
After a foul in the overtime period, RU took the ball on the far left side. Lewis weaved past a defender, moving to her right. She tapped it to Feeley, who sent it back to Lewis. Lewis one-timed it past Lehman for the win.
The goal was the sixth game-winner for Lewis on the year. In goal, DeCerbo had eight saves.
"It was really important for us to finish a game and play the full 70 minutes," junior Melissa Bowman said after the game. "There was a little bit there where they had the momentum, but I believe we had the energy the whole game. Coach did a great job calling a timeout when the momentum shifted and instilling in us that we had to play our game."
Next up for RU, a match-up with Louisville on Friday, Oct. 3 at 7:30 p.m.
