Box Score GORHAM, Maine – Senior Rylee McGuire (Grantham, N.H./Lebanon) scored with just 18 seconds remaining in the second overtime period to lift the Manhattanville College Valiants to a 2-1 win over the University of Southern Maine Huskies in a non-conference field hockey game Sunday afternoon at Hannaford Field.
Earning its first win over the Huskies in the three-game series between the two schools, Manhattanville stands at 3-3 on the season. Southern Maine evens its record to 3-3 with the loss.
After battling through nearly 30 minutes of overtime action, McGuire tapped in an assist from junior Amanda Cirocco (Totowa, N.J./Passaic Valley) for the game-winner just seconds before the game was to head to penalty strokes. The goal is McGuire's third of the season.
Manhattanville led early in the contest taking a 1-0 lead as junior Bregjie Smith (Bussum, Nehterlands/Maerlant Lyceum) laced a rocket of a shot for her third goal of the season in the 11th minute. The Valiants carried the 1-0 advantage through the half, outshooting the Huskies 8-3.
Southern Maine rallied early in the second half, controlling the play and finally breaking through for the equalizer in the 40th minute. Junior Kyrstyn Keating (Freedom, Maine/Mount View) carried the ball through the Valiant defense to the end line and then passed the ball back into the circle to a hustling junior Michaela Demers (Manchester, N.H./Manchester Memorial). Demers raced to the ball for the deflection and the goal.
After the Demers' equalizer neither team was able to find the back of the net as both goalkeepers played strong games. With Southern Maine holding a 9-6 advantage in second half shots, Manhattanville junior Meghan Hughes made six saves in the half, while USM junior Amanda Kasbohm (York, Maine) turned back three.
Both teams were held scoreless in the first overtime with the Valiants registering the lone shot on goal. Headed into the second overtime, both teams had solid chances with Manhattanville holding a 6-4 edge in shots, before McGuire's late-game heroics.
Hughes earned the win making 10 saves for the Valiants. Kasbohm was saddled with the loss making 13 saves. Freshman Dorina Sirois (Saco, Maine/Thornton Academy) made her first collegiate defensive save.
Southern Maine hosts the University of New England on Thursday (4:00 p.m.) in a non-conference game. Manhattanville hosts Ramapo on Thursday (7:00 p.m.).
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