FROSTBURG, Md. - The Frostburg State field hockey team took on Maryville, recovering from a goal down to come away with a 3-2 win.
In the first period, the Saints dominated play as FSU struggled out of the gate. Senior goalkeeper Madison Manalansan was forced into a save within six minutes, but MU scored just 30 seconds later for a quick 1-0 lead. The Bobcats found their footing after the restart, with freshman Paige Leitzel having the first shot on goal, then Frostburg earned back-to-back penalty corners, but couldn't convert on either.
FSU continued their momentum into the second quarter, as Leitzel and sophomores Olivia Wenzel and Macy Layfield all had opportunites to score, but Maryville keeper Liz Bierhals stood resolute in goal. Senior Rachael Rallo had a late opportunity to find an equalizer, but could not beat Bierhals in the final minute to take MU into the 1-0 halftime lead.
Maryville came out with the first shot of the third quarter in an attempt that went wide, then the Bobcats ramped up the intensity, with Layfield, junior Emilie Bonhivert, and senior Madison Hackett taking cracks at goal, but still none could get past Bierhals. The breakthrough finally came when Frostburg got a pair of corners with less than three minutes left in the quarter, the second of which found its way to Hackett, who blasted home her first collegiate goal to even the score.
Junior Ava Schmidt began the final frame with a trio of shots that all came close but were saved by Bierhals, however the third shot caused a scramble in the arc from which the Bobcats were awarded a penalty stroke. Up stepped Hackett to bury the chance and give Frostburg the 2-1 lead with just over five minutes remaining. FSU didn't have to wait long for an insurance goal, as 90 seconds later, Bonhivert saw a shot saved, but quickly fed sophomore Olivia Wenzel to find the back of the cage for a quick 3-1 lead. That insurance goal was hugely important, as the Saints pulled a goal back with ten seconds left, giving the Bobcats a narrow 3-2 win.
With the victory, the FSU rises to 7-4 while the Saints fall to 2-8 on the season. Frostburg will be back in action on the road where they take on Slippery Rock on Friday, October 14 at 6 PM. For more information and updates, visit www.frostburgsports.com.
