FREDERICK, Md.--Junior defender Paola Aguilar scored on a
breakaway 3:51 into the first overtime period to lift the visiting
Shenandoah University Hornets (3-2) to a 3-2 victory over the Hood
College field hockey team (2-4) Monday afternoon at Thomas Athletic
Field.
On Shenandoah's second corner in the 28th minute, Aguilar fed
junior midfielder Kaitlin Sommer who scored her first goal of the
season to get the Hornets on the board. Hood fired 12 shots in the
frame but was unable to convert any of its eight corners as
Shenandoah keeper Danielle Lawson was there to deny all four
attempts on the cage. Lawson came up with a sprawling kick save on
a shot by sophomore forward Maria Smith in the final minute of the
period to preserve Shenandoah's one goal lead at halftime.
But Smith broke through with her first score of the season 8:48
into the second half to knot the game at 1-1. Shenandoah answered
less than four minutes later when Aguilar netted her second goal of
the fall to regain the lead for the Hornets.
The Blazers kept pressing and were awarded 11 corners in the
second half. Smith managed to knock one home after a scramble in
front of the cage to tie the game up once again at 2-2 in the 62nd
minute. Senior Sarah Balukoff was credited with the assist. Hood
took four corners in the final four minutes but was unable to cash
in and the Blazers found themselves in the midst of their second
overtime affair in as many games.
Hood nearly netted the golden goal just 15 second into the
stanza but senior Brandy Noel's attempt sailed just wide of the
cage. But it was Aguilar who came up with the game-winner on a
breakaway. She raced to the cage and after Hood keeper Anne Marie
Hantman stepped up to try and intercept the ball, Aguilar shook
free and knocked home her third goal of the season to snap a
two-game losing skid for the Hornets.
Hood held a sizeable advantage in shots (24-8) and penalty
corners (21-5). Hantman finished with three saves while Lawson
tallied eight.
The Blazers continue their three-game homestand Friday hosting
Rosemont College at 4 p.m.
