GRANVILLE, Ohio (Oct. 16) – An overtime goal by junior defender
Bella Thoms helped the Denison University field hockey team secure a dramatic 2-1 overtime victory over visiting DePauw University in a key North Coast Athletic Conference game Wednesday evening at Deeds Field – Piper Stadium.
The victory improves Denison to 5-1 in NCAC play and 6-6 overall. DePauw suffers its first conference loss, as they are now 6-1 in league games and 8-5 overall.
Denison gained an early scoring opportunity in the final minute of the opening quarter. Following a penalty corner chance, sophomore
Lila Smith sent a shot attempt off the right post, narrowly missing an opportunity to put Denison on the board.
DePauw put a shot on goal that was saved by Denison senior goalkeeper
Athena Joannou in the second quarter. Things remained scoreless as the game entered halftime.
Late in the third quarter, the Big Red was able to breakthrough with the first goal of the game. A pair of sophomores combined to account for the Denison goal. Positioned in front of the cage,
Reilly Desmond was able to score on a tip in following a play in from the left post by
Emma Gebhart. The goal was the fourth of the season for Desmond.
Trailing by a goal entering the fourth quarter, the Tigers showed a heightened sense of urgency over the final 15 minutes. DePauw racked up three penalty corners and a pair of shots as they applied persistent pressure.
The third and final penalty corner led to the game-tying score. Ella Morris was able to score off a deflection after a strike from near the top left of the circle. Morris' score game with just 55 seconds remaining, which left Denison stunned as the game went to overtime.
Both teams recorded chances in overtime. DePauw opened the action with a penalty corner and shot on goal in the first few minutes of the extra session. A few minutes later, DePauw turned away a shot by Desmond, which then drew a penalty corner chance for Denison.
Nearly three minutes later, it was Thoms who provided the game-winning score with a nifty finish. Thoms was able to collect the ball near the 25-yard line and race up field before turning her back to the DePauw goalkeeper and putting a soft shot into the left corner of the cage. The score was the first of the season for Thoms.
DePauw held a 6-5 edge in shots (4-3 DePauw on goal). The Tigers recorded 6-3 advantage in penalty corners.
Joannou made three saves in goal to secure the victory. Smith and Desmond finished with two shots apiece.
Denison heads to Allegheny College for another NCAC game on Saturday, Oct. 19. Start time in Meadville is scheduled for 11 a.m.
