INDIANA, Pa. – Senior
Selena Gonzales West scored the game-winning goal in double overtime to lift IUP field hockey to a come-from-behind 4-3 win over visiting Mercyhurst Monday at a rainy George P. Miller Stadium.
It was West's second goal of the game, as she keyed the win in the final seconds. She found the back of the cage on a scramble off a penalty corner with 20.9 seconds left to play in regulation to make it a one score game.
Then 15 seconds later, West dished to sophomore
Georgiana Chiavacci who dramatically scored with five seconds left to force overtime.
After a scoreless first overtime period in which IUP outshot Mercyhurst 3-0, the Lakers turned things around and dominated the ball in the first three minutes. West was able to grab a loose ball after a Lakers missed shot and race down the right sideline, cutting across in front of the cage while fighting off a defender before beating the goalie to complete the comeback.
It was IUP's first overtime win since a 3-2 double OT win over visiting West Chester on Sept. 30, 2016.
The win marked a big bounce back performance after Saturday's season-opening 2-1 home loss to Bellarmine.
Mercyhurst dominated in the first half with a goal in the 19th minute following with another in the 22nd minute. The Crimson Hawks answered back in the 26th minute off a penalty corner goal scored by senior
Matti Reightler.
Although IUP trailed at the half, the Crimson Hawks outshot Mercyhurst 10-4 and held a 6-2 advantage in penalty corners in the first 35 minutes.
Mercyhurst (2-1) padded its lead to 3-1 with a goal in the 57th minute as IUP continued to hold a shot advantage in the second half. The Crimson Hawks ended up outshooting the Lakers 24-to-11 for the game.
Senior goaltender
Olivia Accardi matched up with Mercyhurst's goaltender, both having five total saves.
Up next
The Crimson Hawks (1-1) keep the play going in Indiana and face the Mansfield Mountaineers Wednesday, September 12 at 4 p.m.
Follow
For up-to-date game information, visit IUPAthletics.com and follow IUP field hockey on Twitter @IUPCrimsonHawk and @IUPfieldhockey.
