BLOOMSBURG – Larissa Motts scored the game-winning goal in overtime to give Mansfield a thrilling 1-0 upset victory over No. 7 ranked Bloomsburg Wednesday afternoon at Steph Pettit Stadium.
 
It is just the third time in program history that Mansfield (4-3, 0-0 PSAC) has defeated Bloomsburg (4-3, 0-0 PSAC) (1978, 2012, 2017) and is the Mountaineers' first victory over a nationally ranked program since the last win over the Huskies in 2012.
 
"It's indescribable," said head coach Brittany Hansrote following the game. "A million emotions were going through me when the goal was scored."
 
The win is even more special for Hansrote who, as a player at Mansfield, lost by a single goal to Bloomsburg in the Mountaineers' first playoff game in program history during the 2006 season.
 
Mansfield keeper Brittany Ryan had another incredible performance in goal, making 12 saves for her third shutout of the season. Emily Blidy got in on the action preventing an early Bloomsburg score in the second minute with a defensive save.
 
"Brittany was monumental in goal and the defensive line was unbelievable," said Hansrote.
 
Mansfield held a slight 5-4 advantage in penalty corners in the first half, but the Huskies outshot their opponent 8-4 with seven on frame. In the second half, Bloomsburg recorded five penalty corners to the Mounties' one and held a 7-2 advantage in shots. However, Ryan was unrelenting in the cage to force overtime.
 
"We were very confident going into overtime," explained Hansrote. "We just wanted to stay focused on the passing game and keep everyone fresh.
 
"Throughout the game I stressed that it had to be a total team effort and we needed to move as a unit up and down the field."
 
In the 7-on-7 overtime period, the Huskies recorded four shots and a pair of penalty corners before being assessed a yellow card. The Mountaineers took advantage with Jamison quickly putting a shot on goal that was denied by the Bloomsburg keeper. Seconds later, Katie Jamison directed a pass into Motts who finished into goal for the win.
 
It was the fifth goal of the season for Motts and first assist for Jamison.
 
Jamison, Motts, Abbie Predmore, and Christie Buyer all registered shots on goal in the game.
 
Ryan currently leads the PSAC in total saves (60), save pct. (89.6%), saves per game (8.57), and shutouts (3). The sophomore is fourth in goals against avg. at .979. Ryan is already tied for third in program single-season saves.
 
The win gives Mansfield its most victories since the 2013 season. It continues an incredible turnaround of the program under third-year head coach Hansrote who did not win a game in 2015 then won two games a year ago.

"I'm so proud of this team's accomplishments this season," added Hansrote. " I am stitched from the same cloth being an alumni and what we've done this year makes me feel an immense amount of pride.

"The emotions of today's win run so deep personally and groundbreaking moments like this are the reason that I came back to take this program over. I knew that we could reach this level as a program and to see it come to fruition is an amazing feeling."
 
Wednesday's game did not count towards the PSAC standings.
 
The Mountaineers return to Karl Van Norman Field for an evening match-up against No. 2 Shippensburg on Saturday.