May's Game-Winner Caps 3-2 Overtime Win Over Wesley
OWINGS MILLS, Md. - Stevenson field hockey freshman Kaitlyn May (Arnold/Archbishop Spalding) scored just over three minutes into the first overtime to lift the Mustangs to a 3-2 victory over Wesley on Thursday at Caves Athletics Complex in the regular season finale both teams.
The win was the second-straight for Stevenson (6-11, 2-4 CAC) and its third in the last five games. It also pushed the Mustangs into a tie for fifth-place in the CAC standings with St. Mary's (Md.), but the Seahawks earned the fifth-seed in the 2009 CAC Field Hockey Championship by virtue of a 4-0 victory over Stevenson in the season-opener for both teams.
As a result, the Mustangs will be the sixth-seed and travel to third-seeded York (Pa.) on Sunday in the first round while Wesley (11-8, 3-3 CAC) will be the fourth-seed and host St. Mary's (Md.) on Sunday.
The Wolverines held a 20-9 advantage in shots, but had to tie the game twice to send it into overtime. Stevenson scored a goal in all three periods, capped by May's third goal of the season and second in as many games.
The Mustangs took a 1-0 halftime lead after sophomore Kelli Battista (Elkridge/Long Reach) scored her second of the year off a pass from sophomore Ashley Beam (Reisterstown/North Carroll) who picked up her first career point.
The Wolverines would get the equalizer just under 15 minutes in the second half after Abigail Hill netted her second of the season.
Senior Raechel Manly (Bel Air/Bel Air) put Stevenson back in front eight minutes later when she redirected a shot from sophomore Brittany Martin (Hampstead/Hereford), but Wesley again tied it with 4:41 to play after Nicole Hill intercepted a clear attempt by the Mustangs and found Sheree Pleasanton in front for her fifth goal of the season.
May's game-winner, the first of her career, was a mirror image of Pleasanton's and at the same end as senior Sarah Bauer (Baltimore/Perry Hall) intercepted a Wolverine clear and found May alone in front.
Thursday marked the last home game for Stevenson this season where it has totaled three of its six wins. It was also the team's sixth one-goal game in 10 and its first win in three overtime contests at Caves Athletics Complex.
The game also featured the top two keepers in the CAC this season in terms of save percentage. Wesley's Sarah Johnson leads the conference at .806 while Mustang junior Kara Zimmerman (Odenton/Arundel), who made 10 saves against the Wolverines, is second at .805.
Stevenson was also credited with two defensive saves, both of which were credited to junior Natalie DiPaolo (Baltimore/Perry Hall) who increased her CAC-lead to 15. She is also ranked third nationally.
The 2009 CAC Field Hockey Championship begins on Sunday with Stevenson traveling to York (Pa.) for a 1:00 p.m., first round contest with the Spartans. The winner will travel to second-seeded Mary Washington next Wednesday, November 4.
Top-seeded Salisbury also received a first round bye and will host the winner of St. Mary's (Md.) and Wesley next Wednesday. The conference championship will be decided on Saturday, November 7.
