Union, N.J. (9/20/11) – Sophomore Stephanie Soares redirected the game-winner in overtime as the Kean University field hockey team edged visiting William Paterson University, 4-3, Tuesday evening in NJAC action.
One minute and 38 seconds into the overtime period, junior Kelly Bachovchin directed a hard shot from outside the circle, before Soares redirected the shot from the right side past the keeper for the win.
Kean (4-3, 1-1 NJAC) held a 19-8 advantage in penalty corners and 26-12 advantage in shots in the matchup.
Senior Meghan Trivett led the Pioneers (1-6, 0-2 NJAC) with 15 saves in the contest.
The Cougars jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the first half. Senior Olivia Triano scored the first two goals of the night, first at the 19:16 mark off a corner from Soares. She then put Kean up 2-0 at 32:38 with a hard shot lined from the front of the cage.
The Pioneers then roared out of the break and scored the next three goals to take the lead. Just 27 seconds into the second half, sophomore Brianne Cox hit a hard tip off a deflection to put the score at 2-1. Sophomore Annalis Mitcho then tied things up at two-all as she fired one in off a keeper save. In the 51st minute sophomore Jessica Nendze used a sweeping shot from the left side to put William Paterson on top, 3-2.
Just 30 seconds later, Kean tied the match at three-all as Triano (pictured left) completed her hat-trick with a liner high from in front of the cage.
The Cougars return to action on Saturday as they travel to Boston, Massachusetts to take on Wheelock College while the Pioneers host Gwynedd-Mercy College on Sunday at 5 p.m.
