FROSTBURG, Md. - Melanie Esh scored the game winning goal with four minutes remaining as the Mansfield Mountaineer field hockey team (3-0) completed their comeback against the Lander Bearcats (1-1), 2-1, in their neutral site thriller.

Both teams used the early time to adjust to the neutral site, with only one shot registered on goal by Kenedy Stroup midway into the first quarter.

Lander picked up three corners in the first fifteen, but the Mountie defense held strong for a quiet start to the non conference battle.

Before the halftime whistle, the Bearcats showed a glimpse of offense, posting three shots in six minutes, including a chance with 30 seconds left.

August Lewis stopped that chance and had another save to keep the two teams deadlocked at 0-0, heading into the locker rooms.

Silencing penalty corners were a crucial key for both teams, with Mansfield earning only one after averaging ten in the first half to start the season and the Bearcats with three after having seven in the first half in their first game.

Two minutes into the third quarter, Lander stuck to their game plan by drawing a penalty corner and capitalized, sending a high shot into the cage to take the 1-0 advantage.

After the strong start to the half for the Bearcats, the Mountaineers became red hot in the final minutes.

In a minute and four seconds, the Mounties sliced seven shots, five shots on goal, and earned three penalty corners, with the last-minute efforts pushing through as Jenna Duke sent back a ricochet into the cage to tie up the thriller with 57 seconds remaining in the third quarter.

11 penalty corners and ten shots highlighted the third quarter as the two teams highlighted the only offensive quarter of the day as both teams turned back to the defensive minded game in the final fifteen.

With seven minutes left in the fourth, a fast break chance almost pushed the Bearcats ahead, but Regan Fiorito made a crucial stop before Lander could send one into the back of the cage.

Esh sealed the deal for Mansfield, with a slapper as the game winner to keep the Mounties undefeated through their first three games.

Nine shots in the final 17 minutes kept the Mounties comeback chance alive and Lewis made a crucial save with minutes remaining.

UP NEXT:  
The Mounties continue their weekend back in their home state when Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) member Bloomsburg welcomes them for a nonconference clash on Sunday, September 15, starting at 1 p.m.