SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Cecelia Keller scored with nine seconds remaining in regulation to force overtime as the Franklin Pierce University field hockey team earned a 4–3 shootout victory over American International College on Saturday at Abdow Field.
The Ravens improved to 4–8 overall and 1–3 in Northeast-10 play, while the Yellow Jackets dropped to 3–6 overall and 1–3 in conference action.
Following a scoreless first half, AIC opened the scoring on a penalty stroke at 32:54. Keller answered at 37:42, finishing off an assist from Avrey MacMaster to tie the game at 1–1. The Yellow Jackets regained the lead before the end of the third quarter.
Abigail Tarka brought Franklin Pierce even again just 51 seconds into the fourth quarter with an unassisted goal. AIC responded at 51:25 to take a 3–2 advantage.
With time running out, the Ravens earned a penalty corner and capitalized as Keller scored her second goal of the afternoon off an assist from Puck Wanders at 59:51.
Zoe Noorlag made four saves during the first overtime period to keep the Ravens alive. Neither team scored across the two extra periods, sending the contest to a shootout.
Wanders and Reese Swanson converted their attempts, while AIC scored once in five tries, securing the victory for Franklin Pierce.
Keller finished with two goals and four shots. Tarka and Swanson each put three shots on goal, while Noorlag recorded six saves across 80 minutes. The Ravens finished with 12 shots and seven penalty corners.
Franklin Pierce returns to action Wednesday, October 21, visiting Assumption University for a 7:00 p.m. contest in Worcester, Mass.
