New Haven, Conn. – The Saint Francis Field Hockey team dropped a tough battle with Sacred Heart University in overtime, 4-3, on Friday afternoon at Yale University's Johnson Field.
The Red Flash came out firing on all cylinders, with a quick goal from Agustina Deharbe (Buenos Aires, Argentina/St. Catherine's Moorlands) just 5 minutes into the match. The goal, assisted by Livvy Webb (Easton, Md./Saints Peter and Paul), was Deharbe's first of the season. Shortly after, Saint Francis extended their lead to two on an unassisted goal by Taylor Nesmith (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley), her third of the season.
In the second quarter, Sacred Heart scored their first goal of the match three minutes in to cut the Saint Francis lead to one. Saint Francis answered by scoring a goal of its own just one minute and 37 seconds after that, when Abby Romig (Honey Brook, Pa./Twin Valley) tallied her first goal of the season on a directed pass from Nesmith. The Red Flash held a 3-1 lead at halftime.
The only scoring in the third quarter was a Sacred Heart goal with four minutes left.
Saint Francis held its one-goal lead until just 36 seconds remaining in the match. The Pioneers last ditch effort resulted in the game tying goal, which sent the teams to overtime.
In overtime, play went back and forth throughout. No goals were scored in the first 10-minute half, but two minutes and 36 seconds into the second half, Sacred Heart broke through and won the game on a penalty corner.
Goalkeeper Claudia Marzec (Whitinsville, Mass./Moses Brown School), who continues to be tested, made some big saves and stopped eight out of 12 shots.
Though the Red Flash did not prevail, Head Coach Betta Ceretta was encouraged by her team's performance:
"We came out strong and fought hard the whole game, but in the end the team who came out on top was the one who capitalized on their opportunities. There were lots of good moments today, and we can take what we've done well and carry it into our game on Sunday."
Next up for the Red Flash is a 23-mile trip to Fairfield, Connecticut, where they will battle the Fairfield Stags on Sunday at 12 pm.
