Box Score KEENE, N.H. - Keene State College sophomore midfielder Brittney Cardente scored the game winner 1:54 into overtime to lift the top-seeded Owls to a 2-1 victory over eighth-seeded Eastern Connecticut in Little East Conference field hockey quarterfinal action Tuesday night at Owl Athletic Complex.
With its 13th straight win, Keene (17-4) advances to the semifinals and will host the No. 4 seed Western Connecticut State who outlasted Bridgewater State 3-2 in overtime of their quarterfinal matchup. Eastern (8-10) was making its first LEC tournament appearance in ten year after qualifying this past Saturday with a 3-2 victory over Worcester State University.
It was the first meeting between these two LEC schools in the conference postseason tournament and an Eastern victory would have marked the first time since all eight teams began playing first-round matches in 2006 that a No. 8 seed would have knocked off the No. 1 seed.
Junior forward Laura Chicorka (Enfield) gave Eastern a 1-0 lead 19:37 into the game when she dribbled in the circle and her shot found the back of the cage for her fourth goal of the season. The lead held up until the Owls evened the game 14 minutes into the second half when Kayla Renaud's shot off a corner was tipped in by Mariah Barnett for her eighth tally of the year.
KSC had four penalty corner opportunities in a span of 1:22 late in the second half, but was unable tofind the back of the cage.
In overtime, Cardente took the free hit from outside the circle, dribbled in and lasered a shot that found the top left of the cage to send the Owls to the semifinals.
Junior defender Jessica Oliveira (Danbury) kept the Warriors in the game as she recorded four defensive saves to frustrate the Owls offense, with sophomore goalie Samantha Scavo (Redding) making seven saves.
The Owls held an advantage in both shots and corner opportunities, 22-9 and 10-2, respectively.
