GORHAM, Maine — The Husson University field hockey team battled the University of Southern Maine into double overtime on Friday afternoon before falling 2-1 at Hannaford Field.
The Eagles (0-5) received a strong performance in goal from sophomore Ella Duchette, who finished with 11 saves, while freshman Morgan Hersey scored the first goal of her collegiate career. Southern Maine improved to 5-1 with the victory.
After a scoreless opening quarter, Southern Maine broke through at the 22:05 mark of the second quarter when Eliza Rogers scored off an assist from Dylan Barr to give the Huskies a 1-0 advantage.
Husson needed less than six minutes to answer. Hersey put a shot on goal at 27:42 that was initially stopped by Southern Maine goalkeeper Haylee Romasco, but Hersey capitalized on the rebound to even the game at 1-1 with her first goal of the season.
The Eagles' defense held strong throughout the second half despite continued pressure from Southern Maine. Duchette made one save in the third quarter before adding three more in the fourth to keep the game tied and force overtime.
Husson generated two of its best opportunities in the opening overtime period. Sophomore Maddie Morin put a shot on goal at 65:15 before forcing another save from Romasco at 68:13 following the Eagles' lone penalty corner of the contest.
Neither opportunity found the back of the cage, sending the game into a second overtime period tied at 1-1.
Southern Maine ended the contest at the 74:45 mark when Maddie Niles scored her third goal of the season off an assist from Lizalyn Boudreau to give the Huskies the 2-1 victory.
Southern Maine finished with a 20-5 advantage in shots and a 13-4 edge in shots on goal. Morin and Hersey led the Eagles with two shots on goal apiece, while senior Faith Tillotson added Husson's other shot. Duchette's 11 saves helped the Eagles withstand a Southern Maine attack that generated 11 penalty corners.
The Eagles are back in action on Saturday when they head to Plymouth State University for a 4 p.m. contest.
