Garden City, N.Y. – The Adelphi University field hockey team defeated Southern Connecticut State University on Tuesday afternoon, as Kelly Johnson netted the game-winning goal in overtime to send the Panthers to the Northeast 10 Conference tournament semifinal.
The Brown and Gold registered three shots in the period compared to none for the Owls, while also earning two penalty corners. Despite the early opportunities, the Adelphi offense couldn't capitalize, and the score remained deadlocked at zero after 15 minutes of play.
In the second frame, Southern Connecticut flipped the script, pressuring the Panthers' back line and goalkeeper with multiple shots before eventually breaking the ice. Keana Criscuolo slipped one past starting keeper Allison Gregory to give the visitors the first-half lead. Adelphi's lone shot on goal came from Izzy Leclair, but the one-goal deficit stood through 30 minutes of play.
Just four minutes into the second half, the Owls extended their lead, as Criscuolo struck again to put the Brown and Gold in a tough spot. After six more minutes of scoreless play, Lana Mignon De Wet answered the call, cutting the opposition's lead in half. Both teams continued to push forward—Gregory made a key save to deny Criscuolo a hat trick, and Jody Van Aardt had a shot blocked following back-to-back penalty corner opportunities. The third quarter ended with Adelphi trailing by one.
In an exciting fourth quarter, it was the Cats' offense that broke through first. Sydney Rossacci scooped and scored off a rebound, sending Motamed Field into a frenzy. However, after the hard-fought comeback, Southern Connecticut reclaimed the lead, as Natalie Fiato found the back of the net to make it 3-2.
With time winding down and pressure mounting, head coach Jess Mulhern made the bold decision to pull Gregory from goal with just over a minute remaining, opting for the extra attacker. The move paid off, as Jena Geels buried the equalizer off a perfect feed from Caroline Beakes, tying the game with one minute left. De Wet nearly secured the win in regulation, but her final shot was turned aside as the teams headed to overtime knotted at three.
In the extra period, it was all Adelphi. The Panthers drew eight penalty corners and peppered the Owls' net with shots before Johnson played the hero. After taking two straight corners, Beakes found Johnson on a cross, and the senior delivered a beautiful backhand into the top of the cage—sending Adelphi to the semifinals in thrilling fashion.
Head coach Jess Mulhern and the Panthers will return to action on Friday, Nov. 7, as they welcome the Saint Anselm Hawks to Motamed Field for the NE10 semifinal, scheduled for 4:00 p.m.
