Field Hockey Wins Overtime Thriller 2-1 over Gordon

Framingham, Mass. – Junior forward Kaitlyn Ranieri (Bellingham, Mass.) tallied the game winner with 1:42 remaining in overtime to propel the Framingham State University field hockey team to a 2-1 victory over Gordon College this afternoon in non-conference action at Maple Street Field.     

With the win, the Rams improve to 4-1 on the season, while the Fighting Scots fall to 1-6.

Gordon had the chance to score first early in the game as sophomore forward Katherine Bailey (Baltimore, MD) took a pass behind the Rams defense and was dribble in alone on the goal.  Bailey sent a shot at the cage, but Framingham State goalie Sarah Ryan (Uxbridge, Mass.) made a kick save to keep the game scoreless.

The Rams were able to break the scoreless tie late in the half.  Junior Kaitlyn Ranieri (Bellingham, Mass.) sent a shot on goal from just inside the circle that freshman forward Cady Kelly (Canton, Mass.) redirected into the cage for her first collegiate goal.

To start the second half, the Rams came out firing and had a chance to extend their lead just under three minutes in.  Sophomore Emma Littlefield (Rockport, Mass.) blasted a shot from the top of the circle that was deflected away by a defender in front of the net.

Gordon picked up their pressure and had a chance to tie the game just over six minutes into the frame.  Bailey took a pass and carried the ball through the Ram defense and past Ryan, but her shot was knocked away by sophomore Hannah Wilkins (Merrimac, Mass.) before crossing the goal line.

Not long after, the Fighting Scots were finally able to break through for the equalizer.  Sophomore Karli Balmer (Perkasi, PA) hit senior Melanie Landis (Quakertown, PA) with a pass on the right side and Landis fired a shot in the far corner tying the game with 26:06 left.

The game would remain knotted at 1-1 for the rest of regulation and for the majority of the overtime period as neither team could capitalize on three penalty corners apiece to start the extra session.

The Rams were finally able to score the decisive tally in the closing minutes.  Sophomore midfielder Rhea Urbaniak (Chelmsford, Mass.) took possession around midfield and carried the ball down the sideline under heavy pressure.  Urbaniak sent a cross into the circle to Ranieri who fired a shot into the back of the cage for the game winner with just 1:42 left in overtime.

Gordon outshot the Rams 15-13 in the game, but Ryan made nine saves for the Rams to pick up the victory in net.  Junior Anna Bury (Huntingtown, MD) picked up the loss for the visitors making four saves and surrendering just the two goals.

The Rams return to non-conference action on Thursday when they host Wheelock at 4 p.m., while the Fighting Scots travel to Wellesley on Thursday at 4:30 p.m.