The Lancaster Bible College Field Hockey team used a late second half rally and overtime game winner to win their first game of the 2023 season, 3-2, over the Royals of Eastern Mennonite. Junior
Haley Stahl sent a rocket from the left goal post into the upper right part of the goal to give the Chargers the win with just five seconds left in the first overtime period. The Chargers improve to 1-1 overall while the Royals drop to 0-2 overall.
How It Happened: It was a defensive battle from the start as just thirteen combined shots were registered in the first half between the two teams. Neither team's defense allowed any chances to come remotely close, resulting in a scoreless first half and only five combined penalty corners.
Both teams would look for what was left on the table in the second half. The Royals were the first to strike, scoring just over eight minutes in the second half for the first goal of the half. With the balance in their favor, the Royals scored another just three minutes later to give them a 2-0 edge over the Chargers. But despite the Royal's recent success, the Chargers dug deep, responding with their first two goals of 2023 from
Molly Gray and
Alexis Gilbert in the 46
th and 48
th minutes of the game.
Tied at 2-2 all, the anticipation began to increase on the field and throughout the stands as every chance of an attack got people to their feet. 16 shots and 10 penalty corners later, neither team was able to break the plane again, sending the already intense match into extra periods.
Exhausted and looking for any last burst of energy, several offensive pushes were made by each team, but all came up short. Nine minutes and 56 seconds in the first overtime period, it looked as if it was headed into another until a final Charger attack resulted in what would be the last penalty corner of the first overtime period. Junior
Haley Stahl said otherwise; taking a loose ball on the left side of the goal, Stahl managed to keep it away from the goalkeeper's hands all while spinning to send it into the right side of the goal (
watch the goal here) and giving the Chargers their first win over the Royals in program history, and their first win of 2023.
By the Numbers: The Chargers outshot the Royals 20-16, with nine of those being on target… The Chargers had seven saves and Royals had six… Chargers edged the Royals in penalty corners 10-9… Gray, Gilbert, and Stahl all tallied a goal for the Chargers while Maldonado and Collins scored for the Royals.
Up Next: The Chargers stay at home for their third game in a row against the Hood College Blazers on Thursday, September 7 at 4:00 p.m.
