SECTION IV FIELD HOCKEY: NEWARK VALLEY NIPS OWEGO IN OT (2021-09-20)

BY TIM TAYLOR
Tioga County Sports Report
NEWARK VALLEY — Newark Valley and Owego battled for more than 64 minutes before the hosts Cardinals emerged with a 2-1 overtime victory in Section IV Division 3 field hockey action here Monday.

Taylor Benjamin put a front side shot into the cage with 4:36 remaining in overtime to give the Cardinals their third victory of the season.

The game was a defensive battle throughout with the Indians breaking the deadlock on Jillian Baumbach's goal on a penalty corner with 3:39 left in the second quarter.

Owego preceded the corner by driving most of the length of the field, making just two passes to push the ball deep into thew NV end.

"That's what we've been working on in practice, is just connecting between our mids and our forward line, so we'll just keep working on it and hopefully we'll get better at it," Owego coach Ashlee Marsh said.

Newark Valley would control possession the majority of the second half, but faced a stalwart defensive effort from the visitors.

"Our offense was a little unorganized today, so we had to make some adjustments there and get that fixed, and get them on the ball when the pressure picked up, and then we had to work on actually getting it in the goal after that," NV coach Jessica Doehring said.

"That seems to be our trend," Marsh said. "We seem to hold really strong on defense, but we can't seem to put the ball in the goal down on the offensive end.

"Our defense did do a phenomenal job. Mya did a phenomenal job in goal."

Finally, with 5:10 left in regulation, Michelle Brooks punched a rebound into the cage to knot the score.

"We definitely had more momentum in the first half and then we seemed to lose it a little bit the second half," Marsh said, "and then when we came out in overtime they seemed to be down on our defensive end a lot."

Doehring was pleased with how her team persevered through a shortage of players.

"We did not have any subs today, but they charged through, they made it, and in a little bit of overtime too," she said.

Doehring's contentment includes goalie Rachael Walker, who has been guarding the cage during the absence of Sandy Vaughn due to COVID-19 protocols.

"She has definitely stepped up and saved our butt a lot the last couple games and she's done a very nice job," she said.

The Cardinals held an edge in both shots,11-9, and penalty corners, 5-4.

Mya Lunn made seven saves in goal for the Indians and Baumbach added a defensive save. Rachael Walker continued to fill NV's void at goalie and had four saves.

NV (3-2) is back on the field Tuesday, hosting SVEC (2-4). Owego (1-3) visits SVEC Wednesday.

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PHOTOS BY TIM TAYLOR.