Union, N.J. (10/17/17) - The Kean University field hockey team suffered their first loss of the year in a 3-2 overtime loss to #9 Montclair State University on Tuesday night.
MSU got the action started after about twenty minutes of play in the first half. Kailey Dalgauer took a shot from just inside the crease that was saved by Cougar keeper, Megan Houser. The shot deflected off the shinguards and right to Kaitlyn Struss who was in the right place at the right time. Struss sent a shot to the back of the cage and gave the Red Hawks a 1-0 lead.
Both teams played solid defense throughout the remainder of the half, keeping the score at 1-0 going into the break.
The Red Hawks came out firing in the second half as the quickly put their second score on the board after eight minutes of play. Struss scored her second goal on the night after her shot was deflected off a Cougar defender.
Kean wasn't going down without a fight. The #13 Cougars cut the lead in half as Jenna Patrone sent a pass into the center of the circle from the right side of the field. Krista LaMaina received the pass and fired a shot to the back of the cage for the score.
With nine minutes remaining in the nail biter, Teresa Carr followed up a shot by Rachel Mills that was saved by the MSU keeper. The ball landed right in front of Carr, who ripped a shot past the keeper to tie the game. Time expired with the score knotted at two, sending the game to overtime.
After just 2:24 into overtime, MSU forced a corner opportunity which they elected to take from the left side of the field. Dalgauer received the pass at the top of the circle and sent it over to Amber Haslett on the right wing. Haslett sent a shot past the keeper for the game-winner. Before signaling the end of the game, the officials came together to discuss the final shot. Ultimately they ruled in favor of Montclair State to give the Red Hawks the 3-2 overtime victory.
The Cougars return to action on Saturday as they go on the road to take on #4 The College of New Jersey at 7 p.m.
