Northwestern
Missouri State
Field Hockey Wins in Double Overtime, 3-2
8/27/2001 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Aug. 27, 2001
EVANSTON, Ill. - The Northwestern field hockey team needed 26:18 of overtime before winning its first game of the year, 3-2, over Southwest Missouri State at Lakeside Field. Diane Provencher's (North Conway, N.H./Kennett) game-winning goal came with 3:42 left on the game clock, evening the `Cats record to 1-1 on the season.
The big story of the game was the offense of Michelle Cifelli (Fairfield, N.J./West Essex). The junior led the `Cats offense, converting two goals and assisting Provencher on the game winner for a total of five points in the contest.
After a scoreless first half, Cifelli scored her first goal with 23:22 left in regulation on a Suzi Sutton (York, Pa./Dallastown) pass. Eleven minutes later, Cifelli struck again by slapping home a Katie Fischer (Lake Forest, Ill./Lake Forest) pass. But the Bears fought back, scoring two goals in the final 7:24 to send the game into overtime.
"I think the kids did a great job of managing the game," said head coach Marisa Didio. "The first half belonged to Southwest Missouri State, they were stronger and quicker but we made the necessary adjustments to overcome that and be successful. We didn't handle the final eight minutes of the second half very well, either, but these players battled back and did the things they needed to do to win."
Katie Hall (Lake Bluff, Ill./Lake Forest) started the first game of her collegiate career in goal, saving four shots including a crucial scrum in the first overtime.
Overtime consists of two 15-minute periods, and each team plays with just six players and a goalie after starting the game with 11 each. The Wildcats needed just about all 30 minutes, scoring with 3:24 left in the second overtime.
The win improves NU to 1-1. The Wildcats get ready to host the Wildcat Invitational next weekend. The three-team tournament consists of the Wildcats, Hofstra and Ball State. The first game is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Friday August 31, at Lakeside Field.
Scoring:
NU - Michelle Cifelli (Suzi Sutton 23:22, 2nd)
NU - Cifelli (Katie Fischer 11:44, 2nd)
SMS - Bethany Henrick (Becky Birren, Natalie Hoffman 7:24, 2nd)
SMS - Abbey Rolfe (Stephanie Dixon, 2nd)
NU - Diane Provencher (Cifelli 3:42, 2OT)
Shots on goal:
NU 9, SMS 9
Penalty Corners:
NU 11, SMS 11
Goalie Saves:
NU - Katie Hall, 4
SMS - Tiffany Sands, 5
Cards Issued:
None
Updated Records:
Northwestern, 1-1, 0-0 Big Ten
Southwest Missouri State, 1-1, 0-0 NorPac
NEXT MATCH:
Friday, Aug. 31 vs. Hofstra * Evanston, Ill. - Wildcat Invitational - 1 p.m.
