BRISTOL, R.I. – The Roger Williams University field hockey team opened Conference of New England play in dramatic fashion Saturday afternoon, defeating the University of New England, 4-3, in overtime at Bayside Field.
The Hawks improve to 5-1 overall and 1-0 in CNE play, while the Nor'easter fall to 1-3 overall and 0-1 in conference action.
Hawks Get on the Board First
Roger Williams wasted little time establishing its offensive presence, taking a 1-0 lead at 10:59 of the opening quarter. Brodie Loveland (West Milford, N.J.) found the back of the cage off an assist from Reese Jefferson (Dighton, Mass.), giving the Hawks the early advantage.
RWU carried its momentum into the second quarter, doubling its lead at 32:13. Eva Wood (Sandwich, Mass.) scored her first goal of the afternoon to put the Hawks ahead, 2-0, heading into halftime.
The Hawks continued to control the offensive pressure after the break, adding another goal at 40:12. Loveland struck again, this time with assists from Libby Corsetti (Arlington, Mass.) and Wood, extending the RWU advantage to 3-0.
UNE Forces Overtime
The Nor'easters mounted a furious comeback in the fourth quarter, scoring three unanswered goals to erase a three-goal deficit and force overtime.
UNE got on the board at 44:44 when Corinne Ramunno scored off an assist from Gianna Korisianos, cutting the deficit to 3-1.
The Nor'easters continued to chip away at the Hawks' lead, with Ella Reeves scoring at 56:09 off another assist from Korisianos to make it a 3-2 game.
Then, with just 11 seconds remaining in regulation, Korisianos found the cage off an assist from Reeves, tying the game at 3-3 and sending the contest into overtime.
Despite the late surge from UNE, the Hawks continued to generate offensive pressure throughout the fourth quarter, recording eight shots and earning four penalty corners.
Wood Delivers in Overtime
Roger Williams wasted no time putting the game away in the extra period.
Just 1:43 into overtime Eva Wood (Sandwich, Mass.) scored her second goal of the afternoon off an assist from Brodie Loveland (West Milford, N.J.), securing the 4-3 victory for the Hawks.
The win marked RWU's first conference victory of the season and extended the Hawks' winning streak to four games.
Hawks Control Offensive Numbers
The Hawks finished the afternoon with a commanding 28-6 advantage in shots and earned 10 penalty corners compared to four for the Nor'easters.
Wood led the way offensively with nine shots, six shots on goal, two goals and one assist. Loveland added two goals and an assist on four shots, while Jefferson recorded one assist.
In goal, Shae O'Neill (Medway, Mass.) played 60 minutes and made one save while allowing three goals. Meili Raspante (Cotuit, Mass.) entered the overtime period to help preserve the victory.
WHAT'S NEXT?
Roger Williams returns to action on Tuesday, September 15, hosting Wesleyan University at 6:30 p.m. at Bayside Field. The Hawks will then hit the road on Saturday, September 19, traveling to Springfield, Mass., for a 1:00 p.m. Conference of New England match up against Western New England University.
