University of Delaware Athletics
Pieczynski?s Hat Trick Gives Monmouth a 3-2 Overtime Victory over Delaware Field Hockey
9/21/2011 9:55:00 PM | Field Hockey
NEWARK, Del. -- Two unfinished penalty corners at the end of regulation sent the game into overtime as the University of Delaware dropped a hard fought 3-2 decision to Monmouth on Wednesday night at Rullo Stadium.
In a game between two evenly matched squads, the Blue Hens (4-4) were unable to capitalize on two penalty corners at the end of regulation and earn the come-from-behind victory. Red-hot Monmouth won its fifth straight game.
Monmouth (6-3) goalkeeper Teresa Mathews saved the first and defender Nicole Manziano kept one from the back of the cage on the second to send the game into overtime.
In overtime, Michelle Pieczynski had an open breakaway, broke right past a sliding Noelle Diana in goal, and slid home the game winner with 7:28 remaining in the first overtime. It was Piecynski's third goal of the game.
Piecynski started the scoring with the lone goal of the first half. Off a pass from Kimmy Baligian in the circle, Piecynski backhanded a shot from five yards out off the left post to beat Diana for the 1-0 lead.
After the break, the Blue Hens got on the board off a penalty corner and a shot from freshman Kelsey McKee (above right). Amanda McCardell inserted the ball to a crouched Kayla Schweitzer. After the stick-stop by Schweitzer, McKee rocketed a shot past Mathews to knot the game at 1-1 with 23:57 remaining.
The Hawks retook the lead in the 60th minute as Pieczynski dribbled down the left end line and slid home a shot to the near post.
Delaware responded less than two minutes later however as freshman Meredith Bonnell notched her third goal of the season - and second in two games - by stuffing home a loose ball after a scramble in front of the cage. Kasey Prettyman took the initial shot that was saved to start the scramble and the ball wound up on Bonnell's stick from eight yards out.
But the Blue Hens couldn't complete the comeback and the seven-on-seven overtime period went Monmouth's way.
Both squads took 13 shots but the visitors held an 8-6 penalty corner advantage.
Diana made eight saves in goal for the Blue Hens while Mathews stopped five for the Hawks. Manziano saved a pair of goals with two defensive saves on the night.
Delaware has a chance to redeem itself this Saturday as the Hens travel to Saint Joseph's for a 1 p.m. start. The Hens return to Rullo Stadium on Sunday to battle national contender Wake Forest at 1 p.m.
AGATE:
Monmouth..........1.....1.....1.....3
Delaware.............0.....2.....0.....2
Scoring Summary: First Half – Monmouth – Piecynski (6) (Baligian), 20:37; Second Half – Delaware – McKee (4) (McCardell, Schweitzer), 46:03; Monmouth – Pieczynski (7), 59:53; Delaware – Bonnell (3), 61:33; Overtime – Monmouth – Pieczynski (8), 79:32.
Shots: Monmouth – 13; Delaware – 13; Penalty Corners: Monmouth – 8, Delaware 6; Saves: Monmouth – 7 (Mathews – 5); Delaware 8 (Diana).
