EAST STROUDSBURG, Pa. - The Mansfield Mountaineers field hockey team (12-7) fought until the end but was unable to pull off the Overtime upset as they lose 3-2 against the defending champion East Stroudsburg Warriors (16-2).
In the first minute and fifteen seconds of the game, ESU earned back-to-back corners. The Mountaineer defense handled the first corner and on the second Mansfield goalkeeper August Lewis made a right pad save and the ball was cleared away before the Warriors were able to get a second chance.Â
At the 06:14 mark of the first quarter, East Stroudsburg's Hannah Lewis got the opening goal to jump ahead 1-0.Â
Mansfield earned their first corner of the game with just over two minutes to go in the first quarter. The Mountaineers were unable to get a shot off before the Warriors defense closed down and spoiled the Mansfield chance.
East Stroudsburg got an early corner in the second quarter where their attempt went just wide narrowly missing the 2-0 advantage.Â
The Warriors got their fourth corner of the game and second of the quarter with 2:15 left in the first half. Once again the Mansfield defense was up to the task as they were able to regain possession before ESU was able to get a shot off.Â
The Mountaineers had a great chance with under 30 seconds to go in the half after the Warriors were assessed a Green Card. Kennedy Stroup sent in a ball intended for the stick of Alex Esterling but the ESU defense was able to clear the danger and go to the half holding the 1-0 lead.
East Stroudsburg's fifth corner of the game came with just over seven minutes remaining in the third. Off the insert, the Mounties defense gained position and drew a green card on ESU.
Mansfield was able to draw a corner after Kennedy Stroup flew down the wing and was knocked down in the circle.
Mansfield was able to score on their second corner opportunity of the half when Esterling finished off a Hannah Meyer pass to level the score at one.Â
Momentum was all on the Mountaineers' side as just a few minutes later Mansfield jumped ahead and grabbed a 2-1 lead thanks to the Ella Du Plessis goal which was assisted by Saramae Radel.
ESU stormed right back earning a corner for the Warriors but Mountie goalkeeper August Lewis made an incredible pad-stacking save to maintain the slim one-goal margin.Â
The Warriors had a corner with just over seven minutes to go in the fourth but Lewis made another great save to keep the Mounties ahead.
East Stroudsburg was able to tie the game at 2-2 with just under four minutes to go off of a Madison Kline goal.Â
In Mansfield playoff fashion, the Mounties once again headed to overtime tied at 2.Â
The first chance in OT went to ESU but Lewis came out of her cage and made a sliding stop before the Warrior attack could get off a shot.
Mansfield got a corner at the 7:32 mark of overtime and then another at the 7:24 mark. Neither opportunity presented a threat as the Mounties were unable to get a shot on goal.
A third Mountaineer corner came with exactly five minutes remaining but the Warriors defense gained control and cleared the ball out of their circle.Â
East Stroudsburg had a corner of their own with two minutes and twenty seconds left and was able to capitalize when Madison Kline scored her second of the game to seal the 3-2 victory in Overtime.
Lewis led the Mountaineers with 11 saves, while Esterling and Du Plessis each recorded a goal. Meyer and Radel each recorded an assist.Â
Despite the loss, the Mansfield Mountaineers field hockey team not only put together the best season in program history, but also one of the best athletic seasons Mansfield has seen in its history.Â