EAST LANSING, Mich. – Haley Mossmer was the overtime hero on Tuesday afternoon, as Stanford field hockey earned a comeback 3-2 victory over Michigan State. The Cardinal improves to 2-4 on the year as they head into America East play this weekend.
Maroussia Walckiers and Caroline Guden joined Mossmer with goals in the game, while Chantal Eiwanger, Liv Martin, and Gemma Townsend registered assists. Kendall Dowd earned her first win of the season, making six saves between the posts.
"That was probably the most composed overtime we have ever played in my time at Stanford," Mossmer said. "Attacking from the right side is something we train regularly so it was exciting to see our practice translate into a game scenario. It feels amazing to have another win under our belt. I'm incredibly proud of how we continued to fight through the ups and downs of the game and I think the win reflected our persistence and belief."
Stanford generated three penalty corner chances early but couldn't convert as the first quarter ended scoreless. Michigan State would strike first in the second off a penalty corner, but Walckiers would answer with a shot that snuck past the left pad of the Spartan goaltender. Late in the half, Michigan State would reclaim the lead on a breakaway chance that found the back of the net as time expired in the quarter.
"The team was really disappointed at halftime with that late goal," head coach Roz Ellis stated. "We let them sort it out because they are smarter than that and know better. I was proud of them being relentless and continuing to chip away at this game."
Stanford came out of the half with a strong defensive showing in the third quarter to keep the deficit at one, allowing the Cardinal to tie the game in the fourth on a Guden shot from circle's edge. The game would remain tied heading into the extra frame, where Mossmer would redirect a Townsend attack to score top left corner and win the game.
"We kept reiterating being poised will our ball movement and creating overloads, and the team was playing smarter [in the second half]," Ellis continued. "We still have work to do, but they found a way to win and that's something to celebrate."
Stanford will continue the road trip on the east coast this weekend, facing off against New Hampshire on Friday at 11 a.m. and Maine on Sunday at 9 a.m. (both times Pacific). Both games will be aired on AmericaEast.tv.