No. 10 Northwestern Clipped by No. 12 Michigan in OT, 3-2

10/21/2016 6:59:00 PM | Field Hockey

Box Score Highlights BTN Postgame Wrap

Flens tallies both of Wildcats' goals

By: Nick Brilowski

EVANSTON, Ill. -- Senior Isabel Flens scored a pair of goals in her final collegiate home game but No. 12 Michigan got a goal in overtime to edge No. 10 Northwestern 3-2 Friday afternoon at Lakeside Field.

All five goals in the contest were scored off penalty corners, including the Wolverines' game-winner 6:48 into the first extra session.

Northwestern got on the board first at the 17:29 mark of the first half when Flens beat Michigan goalie Sam Swenson to her right, giving the hosts a 1-0 lead. Kirsten Mansfield and Sophia Miller were credited with assists on the play.

Despite holding the possession advantage in the first half, the Wolverines appeared to be carrying a one-goal deficit into halftime. However, Michigan earned its sixth corner of the period in the final minute of the stanza and converted with 30 seconds left when Fay Keijer on a deflection off an initial hit by Meg Dowthwaite.

The Wolverines kept the pressure on to open the second half and eventually took the lead when Katie Trombetta scored off an assist from Emma Way at 53:22.

Michigan maintained its lead as the clock ticked under six minutes remaining in regulation, but Northwestern cashed in on another corner attempt to tie the game. Flens beat Swenson again with a shot to the right, evening the scored 2-2 with 5:21 remaining in regulation.

NU had a great opportunity to win the game at the end of regulation when it earned a penalty corner right before time expired. However, Swenson managed to save a shot by Flens, sending the game to overtime.

Both teams had chances to win on penalty corner opportunites -- first Michigan and then Northwestern -- before the Wolverines got the game-winner from Dowthwaite off an assist from Way.

Northwestern (10-6, 4-3 B1G) returns to action at 11 a.m. Central time Sunday when it plays at Central Michigan.

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