STANDISH, ME – TJ Cowin '14 (Newry, Maine) lifted Saint Joseph's (2-0) to a 2-1 victory over Kean University (1-2) with a goal in the fourth minute of overtime in a non-conference field hockey contest at Lakeside Field on Saturday.
Trailing 1-0 after 20 minutes of play, the Monks proceeded to tally a pair of unanswered markers – including the game-tying goal in the 56th minute – en route to victory despite being outshot by a sizeable 19-8 margin.
The Cougars kicked off the game-scoring when Stephanie Soares ''14 (Berkeley Heights, N.J.) netted an unassisted marker at the 19:14 mark. The visitors maintained offensive pressure but were held off by a solid SJC defensive effort and the play of Monks netminder Meaghan Johnson '12 (Portland, Maine/Cheverus), who registered 13 saves in her team's 2011 home-opener.
With just three shots in the second stanza St. Joe's made the most of its opportunities by way of a Sarah Bartell '12 (Exeter, N.H.) goal at the 55:15 mark. Peyton Dostie '15 (Standish, Maine) was credited with an assist on the play.
The majority of game-play in the last 10 minutes of regulation occurred in the Monks' defensive end as the Cougars recorded six penalty corners and two shots on target as the clock wound down to zero. Johnson was up to the task however; as the senior tri-captain turned away both attempts to help preserve the tie game and force extra play.
Kean notched the first scoring opportunity of the overtime frame when Korri Thompson '14 (Somerville, N.J.) sent a shot on net after a scramble near the crease. Johnson turned away the bid and the Monks, using their team speed to take advantage of the 7v7 play in overtime, quickly moved upfield. Dostie worked her way up the middle of the field and delivered a perfect lead pass to Cowin near the top of the circle and the sophomore forward finished the play with a crisp shot to the bottom right corner of the cage.
Kean goalkeeper Erin Langan '14 (Millburn, N.J.) made five saves and the Cougars held advantages in shots (19-8) and penalty corners (17-2) in a losing effort.
Saint Joseph's is now 1-1 in the history of the series with Kean University, which defeated the Royal Blue by a 2-0 score last fall.
St. Joe's will host University of New England on Wednesday at 4:00 PM while Kean returns to action tomorrow with a contest at Thomas College at 12:00 PM.
