Box Score
WEST CHESTER, Pa. – Senior Nicole Haines took a feed from junior Shannon Hayes and buried a shot into the back of the cage with 1:30 remaining in the third overtime to lift seventh-ranked West Chester University to a 12-11 victory over eighth-ranked Dowling College on a Sunny and windy Thursday afternoon at Vonnie Gros Field.
West Chester (11-0) weathered a desperate comeback from Dowling (5-4) in the final eight minutes of regulation, and then came from behind in the second OT to knot things up and force the sudden-death three-minute session at the end.
Hayes was awarded a free position attempt at the 8-meter arc after a foul was called on Dowling. Instead of taking the shot herself, Hayes hit a cutting Haines right in front of the goal and the senior did not miss her target.
“It was a total team effort today to get this win,” West Chester head coach Ginny Martino said. “Hayes could have easily taken the shot herself in that situation. But, she passed it to Nicole.”
Dowling forced the overtime with a five-goal comeback over the final eight minutes of regulation. Stephanie Cotter netted three of the five markers, including the game-tying goal with 3:23 left that made the score 10-10 at the end of the second half.
The Golden Lions scored with 1:07 left in the first overtime on a goal by Sam Messineo off an assist from Krystal Burke. West Chester tied things up in the second OT at the 1:15 mark when Erin Oczkowski scored unassisted.
Dowling had a golden opportunity to win the game in the sudden-death period when Cotter was awarded a free position attempt in the final two minutes. However, Golden Rams goalkeeper MacKenzie O’Keefe came up with the biggest save of the afternoon.
“That save was huge,” Martino added. “She came through in the clutch when she had to.”
Haines finished the afternoon with five goals and two assists, eclipsing 200 career points in the process. Oczkowski scored four goals. Gabrielle Stitz, Nicole Pyle and Alyssa Gallen had West Chester’s other three tallies. Haines was happy to reach the 200-plateau, but put it all into perspective.
“I guess it’s not a lot when you stop to consider (Steph) Kienle and (Jackie) Baker scored over 300 points in their careers,” Haines said. “But, it’s still quite an accomplishment and one that I am proud of.”
O’Keefe (7-0) made six saves in the contest to remain unbeaten in the cage. Rachael Goldstein was spectacular in net for Dowling, stopping 10 shots. Cotter finished with five goals for the Golden Lions.
West Chester travels to Gannon University for a PSAC West crossover match Saturday at 1:30 p.m.
