EAST STROUDSBURG, Pa. — In a stalemate that took all 80 minutes and five rounds of penalty strokes, the ESU field hockey team came out on top against No. 6 Indiana (Pa.), winning the game with a 2-1 advantage in the shootout.
The Warriors had the majority of chances throughout the game, but the Crimson Hawks' goalkeeper, Celeste Pagliaroli, didn't have to make a save until after regulation. Meanwhile, seniors
Sydney Pope, who started the game, and
Jet Vermeulen, who finished up the final 50 minutes, kept IUP off the scoreboard. Pope turned away one shot on goal in the first half, while Vermeulen had a strong fourth quarter and came up with another stop late in the second overtime period.
Both defenses played soundly, with ESU only giving up one penalty corner, while the Crimson Hawks gave the Warriors five chances. ESU had two in the first minute of overtime, but Pagliaroli stopped forward
Maddie Moline on their best look of the sequence. The Warriors diffused IUP's only corner of the game shortly after, as play settled down to end the first extra frame. ESU successfully killed off a yellow card that carried over into the second overtime period, entering penalty strokes after both goalies made stops in the final minutes of overtime. Back
Megan Rafter started the shootout with the game's first attempt, beating Pagliaroli to put the Warriors in front. After Vermeulen stopped Kasey Rieger, Kylee Hager evened the score on IUP's second attempt. ESU jumped back in front off a score from forward
Reagan Kunkle, and Vermeulen slammed the door shut on Lilly Fringer, Sydney Schmouder, and Mia Gerick, giving the Warriors the win.
UP NEXT
After improving to 14-3 overall and 6-2 in conference, ESU moved up to third in the PSAC standings with one game remaining. The Warriors have a week off before hosting Millersville for their Senior Day, taking on the Marauders at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7.
