After a year of waiting, the College field hockey team had a shot at redemption against New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) rival Rowan University Profs.
Saturday's game ended in overtime and sent the defending national champs home with a 2-1 loss. The Lions are ranked fifth with an 8-1 overall record and 2-1 record in the NJAC. The single loss was against Montclair State University Red Hawks. The Profs are 7-2 overall.
Last year's match against Rowan ended in a shutout by the Profs. The Lions were ready to turn the tables this year.
"We have such an ongoing rivalry," senior midfielder Jackie Levy said. "We wanted revenge."
The game came on the heels of the College's football team's victory the previous night.
"We went to the football game as a team," Levy said. "It was definitely inspirational to watch them."
The final goal showed the Lions' teamwork at its best. Senior defender Lauren Wooster sent a defensive shot to junior midfielder Kim Feeley. Feeley assisted junior forward Colleen Stamler in making the winning goal in 84:06.
Stamler led the Lions with a pair of goals. She put the team on the scoreboard with an unassisted goal at 6:05. The score stood at 1-0 until Rowan junior Rhonda Bennett sank a goal assisted by senior midfielder Michelle Thornton with 10:37 remaining in regulation play.
Outstanding defense came from Lions senior Danielle Bechtel and freshman midfielder Meg Hess, while sophomore goalkeeper Kristina Beyel had eight stops in the game. "Dani had the best game of her life," Levy said.
An even match made this an exciting game for both sides. Rowan had 11 shots on goal to the College's 15 and 12 penalty corners to the College's 11.
"It was an even match between two strong programs," Levy said, "but it's great we came out on top."
Upcoming Game
The Lions will return home to host Eastern University at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday.
