Southern Maine Edges Field Hockey 2-1 in Overtime
Gorham, Maine – Junior Leanne Reichert (Portland, Maine) scored on a diving play in the 91st minute to lead the University of Southern Maine Huskies to a 2-1 overtime victory against the Framingham State University Rams in a key Little East Conference (LEC) field hockey game Saturday afternoon at Hannaford Field.
Playing in its fifth overtime game of the season, Southern Maine improves to 6-10 overall and 3-5 in the Little East Conference. The win snapped a three-game slide by the Huskies and helped them stay in the running for the final LEC playoff spot. Dropping its fourth straight contest, Framingham State is now 2-11 overall and 1-7 in the Little East.
The Rams took the early lead over USM in the first half on a penalty stroke following a green card in the circle on a Huskies' defender. Framingham State freshman Meaghann Ackerman (Littleton, Mass.) converted the stroke launching a shot in the upper right corner with 8:17 gone in the half for her team-leading sixth goal of the season.
Despite outshooting the Rams 12-3 in the first half, Southern Maine trailed FSU through the frame. The Huskies continued to trail the Rams nearly 20 minutes into the second half before junior Kyrstyn Keating (Freedom, Maine) knocked in her second goal of the season on an assist from sophomore Kaylie Andrews (Kittery,Maine) in the 53rd minute. Huskies' senior Marina Davidson (Windham, Maine) started the play for USM winning the ball in the midfield and carrying it down the right sideline. Davidson then played the ball in to Andrews who passed it through to Keating for the equalizer.
The Huskies controlled play in the second half owning a 15-1 advantage in shots, but were unable to get the go-ahead goal due to the outstanding play of FSU goalkeeper Alexandra Ricco (Agawam, Mass.). Ricco made 14 saves in regulation to keep her team in the game.
In the first overtime period, both teams had solid scoring chances but neither could convert. Andrews had a pair of attempts in the frame for USM, but Ricco turned aside each attack.
Following 85 minutes of action, the second overtime period started and FSU had the first scoring chance just 28 seconds into the period on a shot from sophomore Amie Souza (Taunton, Mass.), but Husky junior Amanda Kasbohm (York, Maine) made the save. Moments later, Andrews again nearly scored for the Huskies on a close-in attempt only to be denied by Ricco.
With 90 minutes expired and penalty strokes looming, Keating started the game-winning play for the Huskies stealing the ball away from a FSU player and carrying it down the near-side of the field and streaking past a Rams defender. With Reichert sprinting down the middle of the field, Keating led her teammate with a through ball. As Ricco came out to challenge the play, Reichert went into a dive and redirected the ball with her stick to the far post for the win. The goal was Reichert's first of the season and her first career game-winning goal.
Ricco made 17 saves in the loss in a solid effort for the Rams. Kasbohm earned the win for Southern Maine making three saves. USM finished with a 32-7 advantage in shots and a 12-2 lead in penalty corners.
Southern Maine hosts Salem State on Tuesday (4:00 p.m.) in a Little East Conference game. Framingham State will host Worcester State on Tuesday (7:00 p.m.) in a Little East Conference game.
Release courtesy of USM Sports Information