MANSFIELD –
Alexis Bittel gave Mansfield an early lead, but Kaitlyn Eckley made the difference with a pair of free kick goals as Pitt-Johnstown stunned the Mounties 2-1 in overtime Saturday afternoon at Karl Van Norman Field.
Bittel put Mansfield (0-2-0, 0-2-0 PSAC) ahead in the 15
th minute when she received a long pass from
Bria Bittiger and placed it outside the keeper's reach from the right side of goal. It was the third career goal for the junior.
Pitt-Johnstown (1-1-0, 1-1-0 PSAC) found the equalizer just before halftime when Eckley put a free kick from the top of the box into the right side of net.
UPJ held a slight 10-9 advantage in shots in the first half with four going on goal to Mansfield's three. Both sides saw opportunities in the second half with UPJ putting eight shots on goal and the Mounties four, but neither team could find the go-ahead score.
Mountaineer back-up keeper
Stephanie Moir made five critical saves late in the game after starter
Rachel Fox left with an injury.
Eckley seized another free kick opportunity in overtime, placing the ball near the top right corner from 25 yards out to give the Mountain Cats the victory.
Bittel tallied a team-best three shots on goal in the game with Bittiger and
Eleni Gebbia recording two each.
Mansfield completes a two-game home stand on Wednesday when it hosts Shippensburg.
