The Elizabethtown College field hockey team moved their Commonwealth Conference record to 5-0 with a 1-0 overtime victory over Widener University this homecoming weekend.
Sophomore Jacki Hikes scored her 14th goal of the season in the 9th minute of the overtime period to help the Blue Jays stay undefeated in conference play and stay atop the conference alongside the Messiah Falcons.
The matchup pitted two teams moving in opposite directions in the standings and on the stat sheet. While the Blue Jays were looking to continue their dominance in conference play, the Pride players were in search of their first Commonwealth victory. Etown won the majority of their offensive statistics, but were unable to find the back of the net in regular time. This was in large part thanks to Widener goalie Maggie Kareris, who made 11 saves.
Even after leading in possession time and scoring chances, the Blue Jays needed extra time to come up with the victory. Etown, now 10-4 overall, also led in shots with 20. This was the fifth time this season that the Blue Jays reached this mark.
Junior Taylor Alwine continued her dominance on the offensive side of the field, leading Etown with six shots in the game. The two-sport athletes came very close to putting the Blue Jays on the board early on off of a corner in the 18th minute of play. Her shot attempt was fended off by the Pride defense. In total, eight Blue Jays finished with at least one shot on goal.
Widener, now 4-11, only managed three shots the entire game. Their shots were evenly spread, one in each of the halves and in the overtime period. The Pride’s first shot was the only one to come close to scoring, hitting the post early in the first half.
Junior goalie Marlena Johnson only needed to make one save in the contest, but it came at the most important time of the game. Johnson warded off a Widener shot 1:21 into the 15-minute overtime period. This was the Pride’s only real opportunity to score in the extra time.
After Widener failed at their only scoring opportunity in the period, the Blue Jays countered with four straight penalty corners before Hikes managed to find the back of the net.
The team then faced Hood College on Wednesday, Oct. 23. The Blue Jays were able to shut out the Blaze, ending the game with the final score of 8-0.
The team is scheduled to play No. 11 Messiah College on Saturday, Oct. 26 on Wolf Field. The game, starting at 1p.m., will mark the last time that the two teams will face each other during regular conference play because of Etown’s upcomimg switch to the Landmark Conference. This conference change will be in effect at the start of the fall 2014 season.
