By: Victor Menendez
BROCKPORT, NY - Brockport Golden Eagles field hockey team picked up their third consecutive victory in a dramatic double-overtime 3-2 win against the Houghton Highlanders on Saturday.
With seven minutes and 43 seconds played in the second overtime period, Brockport forward Quinn Guy slapped a pass from Terralyn McLaughlin into the back of the net to give the Golden Eagles the win.
“It means a lot, but it’s more of a group effort," Guy said. “It’s something that we worked for for a long time, so I’m happy to see that it worked out today.”
The Golden Eagles got on the board first with about two minutes remaining in the first quarter. Allison Greene scooped the ball over Houghton goalie Amber Cribbs to put Brockport up 1-0. Greene picked up her team-leading seventh goal and 19th point of the year. The freshman came into the game leading the Empire 8 in points, tied for first in assists and second in goals.
“Her consistency and composure as a freshman is pretty insane,” Brockport head coach Krista Archambeau said. “She comes to work every single day. She’s so coachable, and the biggest thing that makes her stand out is that she’s a very selfless player and does everything for the team.”
Brockport outshot the Highlanders 5-2 in the first quarter. Four of which were on goal compared to Houghton’s zero. Greene had three of the shots on goal for Brockport.
A scoreless second quarter from both teams saw Houghton outshoot Brockport 4-0 with one of their shots being on goal. At the half, the score remained 1-0 in favor of the Golden Eagles.
Brockport put four more shots on goal in the third quarter but couldn’t score. They held the Highlanders to zero shots on goal to keep the score at 1-0 heading into the fourth.
The Golden Eagles were able to cash in early in the final quarter as Greene found the back of the net again. Paige Thowe picked up her second assist of the season.
“Just trying to do it for my team,” Greene said. “We play together, so if one of us fails, we all fail. If one succeeds, we all succeed."
The Highlanders cut into the Brockport lead with just over five minutes remaining. After four straight shots on goal were turned away by Brockport goalie Ella Buchanan, Madison Gancasz was able to get one through to make it a one-goal game.
It looked like the game was over, but with zeros on the clock, Houghton was awarded two extra corners. Lilyana Good put one past Buchanan to tie the game at two and send it to overtime.
“I wish I could tell you what happened,” Archambeau said. “We apparently pressured the ball before getting five yards, and that resulted in a corner. They wanted to make our lives more challenging today.”
Greene had a breakaway opportunity for Brockport with about five-and-a-half minutes left in overtime but was tripped up by Cribbs and didn't get a shot off.
Late in the first overtime, Houghton had a breakaway of its own as Gancasz got behind the Brockport defense and put a shot on goal that was turned away by Buchanan. Despite chances for both teams, neither could finish, and this game headed to double-overtime.
The Highlanders were awarded a free shot on goal with under eight minutes left in double-overtime because Buchanan knocked over Deborah Cross, who was on a breakaway. Campbell Bowers took the shot for Houghton which was saved by Buchanan.
About five minutes later, Guy provided the heroics, scoring her third goal of the year, and giving Brockport the win. The entire team rushed the field, surrounding Guy to celebrate the victory.
“I think it’s a great learning lesson that we were up 2-0 in the fourth, and that we have to continue to play the game all the way through,” Archambeau said. “But I’m really proud of the girls for getting our second E8 win.”
The Golden Eagles improved to 6-3 with the win, second place in the Empire 8. Houghton fell to 5-4 as well as 0-3 in Conference play with the loss, putting them in last in the Empire 8.
Brockport’s next game will be on Wednesday as they take on the Keuka Wolves at home. Start time is scheduled for 4 p.m.
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