INDIANA, Pa. – The No. 7 IUP field hockey team erased a three-goal deficit in dramatic fashion Saturday, scoring the game-tying goal after time expired in regulation before ultimately falling to Frostburg State, 4-3, in a shootout at George P. Miller Stadium.
The Crimson Hawks (5-1) trailed 3-0 late in the first half before scoring three unanswered goals, capped by Hayven Mumma's equalizer on an untimed penalty corner after the final horn. Neither side could break through during two overtime periods before Frostburg State secured the victory in the shootout.
Frostburg State wasted little time taking the lead, with Sabrina Maldonado finding the cage just 27 seconds into the contest. The Bobcats extended their advantage in the second quarter behind goals from Makenna Buffington and Brooke Saul, sending IUP into halftime facing its largest deficit of the season.
The Crimson Hawks came out of the break with an immediate response.
Kasey Rieger started the comeback early in the third quarter, scoring IUP's first goal of the afternoon. Just over two minutes later, Grace McGeehan found the cage following an IUP penalty corner to suddenly trim the deficit to 3-2.
IUP continued to apply pressure throughout the second half, but Frostburg State maintained its one-goal advantage as the clock wound down.
With time expiring in regulation, the Crimson Hawks were awarded one final penalty corner. Because the corner was awarded before the horn, IUP was allowed to play out the opportunity with no time remaining on the clock.
The Crimson Hawks capitalized.
Mumma found the back of the cage on the untimed corner, completing IUP's comeback from three goals down and sending the game to overtime tied at 3-3.
IUP controlled much of the offensive pressure throughout the contest, finishing with a 24-9 advantage in shots and a commanding 22-5 edge in penalty corners. The Crimson Hawks put 16 shots on goal compared to seven for Frostburg State.
Rieger and McGeehan led the IUP attack with eight shots apiece. Rieger put five attempts on goal, while McGeehan placed four on frame. Mumma added two shots on goal, including the dramatic game-tying tally.
Frostburg State goalkeeper Jenna Yazzetti helped keep the Bobcats in the contest with 12 saves. IUP goalkeeper Celeste Pagliaroli recorded four saves.
The Crimson Hawks continued to generate opportunities through two overtime periods but could not complete the comeback with a game-winning goal. Frostburg State eventually prevailed in the shootout, handing IUP its first loss of the season and its first under head coach Stephen Hamill.
Despite the setback, the Crimson Hawks moved to 5-1 following their first six games of the season.
