Box Score Bangor, ME – Husson Field Hockey took a thrilling 4-3 win over New England College Wednesday afternoon at the Winkin Complex. Husson rode the hot hand of Mariah Arno who scored three of the Eagles' four goals, including the game winner in overtime.
Just under seven minutes in, the Eagles capped off a fantastic scoring opportunity. Samantha Blanchard passed to Kara Poirier setting up Sabrina Vaillancourt for her lone goal of the afternoon.
Almost eight minutes later Husson was at it again when Sabrina Vaillancourt's shot was destined for the back of the cage, instead drawing iron and bouncing back out. Vaillancourt had another go that was turned away and after a short scrum following the save, the Pilgrims' keeper Courtney Duquette was called for a penalty stroke for covering up the ball in front of the net. Arno assumed the stroke duties and beautifully delivered a rocket past a sprawling Duquette into the left corner for her first goal.
Arno scored once again, this time unassisted at the 15 minute mark, blistering one into the cage yet again to push the Husson lead to 3-0.
NEC started mounting their comeback in the 24th minute by earning a penalty corner. Rachel Carnaroli inserted to Katherine Rich who blasted home a stroke of her own to cut the Eagle lead to 3-1, and it remained that way until halftime.
Husson had only a few chances to get on the board in the first 16 minutes of the second half. Vaillancourt shot three times, Arno once and Logan Wilson once, all to no avail.
The Pilgrims started builing momentum earning several shots and penalty corners leading up to their second goal in the 52nd minute. Katherine Rich score yet another for the Pilgrims, this time by way of Jennifer Adams.
NEC put the finishing touches on their comeback scoring once again in the 66th minute, tying the game at 3-3. Kate Roberge assisted Rachael Hunt for their first points of the day, inevitably pushing the game to overtime.
Husson had one more chance in regulation earning a penalty corner with 21 seconds left. The Eagles were called for an infraction during the penalty corner possession with no time left, forcing the extra session.
The Black and Gold seemed to control the majority of the overtime period, which lasted over nine of the possible 15 minutes. Husson tallied nine shots including the game winner from Mariah Arno. The Eagles had possession, lost it over the end line, then gained it back about 40 yards from cage. A missed Husson pass into the middle of the field ended up at the stick of Arno who carried passed the one defender she needed to beat toward the sideline then back inside the circle towards cage. She then ripped a screamer waist high passed both the keeper and the last Pilgrim defender standing at the goal line to earn the sudden victory.
Husson held a tight shot advantage 19-17, along with goalkeeper Maicee Gustin's 16 saves to Duquette's 13.
"We showed such strength in both the way we started and finished the game," head coach Jen Johnstone said after the win. "Mariah Arno was tremendous today and she was so determined. A close game like this helps you realize in the playoffs that you can't take any team for granted and this will help us prepare for Saturday.
Husson will indeed host the NAC Championship late Sunday afternoon or early evening as the Spartans of Castle will travel to Bangor after besting UMaine Farmington Wednesday.
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