ITHACA, N.Y. – On Sunday, the American University field hockey team was hoping to go two-for-two on the weekend when they took on Cornell one day after defeating Patriot League opponent, Colgate. The Eagles did strike first in the game, going up 1-nil, but the Big Red pushed back and forced overtime, winning the contest 2-1 over American.
QUOTES FROM COACH JENNINGS
"A tough loss for us today after a well-played game by both teams," said head coach
Steve Jennings post game. "Bryn had an outstanding game for us and our effort as a group was high.
"We are growing and growing and will continue to improve pockets of our play that will turn close losses into wins. Our time is coming.
"We look forward to returning home for another strong Patriot League matchup next weekend."
QUICK NOTABLES
- Freshman Emilia Winkler once again scored first for American for the second day in a row. The Berlin native is now tied for the lead with Charllene Boshoff for goals this season at three.
- This is the fourth game this season that the Eagles have gone to overtime out of eight total games so far.
- With the result, Jennings is three wins away from reaching 300 careers wins as a head coach.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Cornell started out on the front foot, forcing goalkeeper Bryn Underwood to see action within the first minute of the game, but less than a minute later, American responded on the other side of the field to force a corner. AU would take the first shot of the game.
- By the end of the opening period, Cornell had taken six shots on goal to AU's nil. The Big Red had also out earned the Eagles three to one in corners. Neither team wound up scoring and the first finished scoreless.
- The second period continued much like the first with back and forth possession. By the midway point, neither team had made any shots or earned any corners until a corner was finally earned by Cornell in the 24th minute of the first half, nine minutes into the frame.
- In the 25th minute, less than a minute after the Cornell corner, the Eagles earned their second corner of the day thanks to Winkler. Nothing would come as a result, but three minutes later, the tides would shift.
- It would be Winkler who scored the opening goal of the contest. The freshman, for the second time in two days, was the difference maker of the first half when, after a scramble in front of the goal, she popped the shot over her shoulder and past three Big Red field players and goalkeeper in the 28th minute of play.
- The Eagles held a 1-0 lead heading into the halftime break in Ithaca.
- Coming out of halftime, the Big Red earned four corners in the third period, resulting in two shots on goal and forcing Underwood to make two more saves.
- The Eagles would earn two corners that would result in two shots on goal as well. The Cornell goalkeeper came up big though, making both saves and keeping the score line 1-0 to the Eagles with one period remaining in regulation.
- With six minutes left the Big Red were pushing hard, earning yet another penalty corner in the 56th minute, but the shot attempt was once again handled by Underwood.
- In the 58th minute, Cornell would equalize on a shot from a rebound after Underwood saved the first shot attempt.
- A penalty corner with 26 seconds remaining was awarded to American; Tayla-Jade Weiss' shot was blocked and what was originally called as a second corner awarded to the Eagles with 17 seconds remaining, would be overturned after looking at the play and possession would go to Cornell.
- Nothing would go for either team in those final seconds of regulation, and the contest would continue into 7v7, golden-goal overtime.
- The Big Red started the first overtime with possession. Less than two minutes into the period though, American had earned three penalty corners, claiming offensive control of the period early on.
- The two teams were battling it out, but neither side was able to claim victory in the first 10 minute frame of extra time, calling for a second 10-minute period to begin.
- In the 74th minute, the Big Red would earn a penalty corner and take the game-winning goal off a ball that was rocketed into the top corner of the net to win 2-1 over the visiting Eagles.
- For the afternoon, Underwood had 11 saves after 17 shots faced. Cornell led 13-8 in shots on goal and 12-9 in corners, despite the Eagles out earning the Big Red 4-3 in corners in overtime. Both teams were also shown two green cards apiece.
UP NEXT
- On Saturday, Sept. 23, the Eagles will be back at Jacobs Complex to host Lafayette at noon.
KEEP UP WITH US
