EMU’s field hockey women came up big when they needed to, earning their first win in the first overtime of their first conference game of the season.聽 Junior (Media, Pa./Delaware County Christian) knocked home the game-winner 8:02 into OT, also notching her first goal of the year.
After playing well but losing all seven of their season-opening non-conference games, the Royals took on Washington and Lee Wednesday night in just their second home contest of 2013. Less than five minutes in, (Harleysville, Pa./Christopher Dock) scored a goal to give the women a 1-0 advantage.
The Generals settled down and actually out-shot EMU in the opening frame, but couldn’t dent the cage.聽 Finally in the 60th minute W&L equalized to make it 1-1.
Each team had great chances to get ahead in the final 10 minutes of regulation, but missed opportunities and great saves sent the game into extra time.
Playing a man up after a Washington and Lee yellow card, the Royals struck. Derstine fired a shot after a penalty corner, and the Generals’ goalie made a great save. Knowing she couldn’t hold the ball without drawing a penalty, the goalie pushed the ball out, but Williams was right there for a point-blank shot into the corner.
Both teams had 14 shots in the game, but Eastern Mennonite was much more efficient, putting 12 shots on goal compared to seven for the W&L. (Matoaca, Va./Matoaca) made six saves in between the pipes.
Derstine and (Mountville, Pa./Hempfield) each had four shots on goal.
The overtime win was EMU’s first OT game since a victory over Bridgewater in the ODAC Quarterfinals in 2011.
Now 1-7 on the season and 1-0 in ODAC play, the Royals step back out of the league to host St. Mary’s (Md.) on Saturday. Game time in Harrisonburg is 2 p.m.