SECTION IV FIELD HOCKEY: SVEC DROPS DEFENSIVE GEM TO MARATHON IN DOUBLE OT (2021-10-11)

BY TIM TAYLOR
Tioga County Sports Report
SPENCER — The SVEC and Marathon field hockey teams put together a defensive gem before the visiting Olympians prevailed, 1-0, in double overtime here Monday.

"It was a really hard-fought game today," SVEC coach Abby Gentiles said. "It was warm and lots of action up and down the field, so I think fatigue set in a little bit, especially coming on a Monday off.

"Monday games are hard, but you know, no excuses. We played hard, they played hard and they were able to finish and we couldn't seem to put one in today."

Veteran goalie Bella Young faced 15 shots, making 13 saves on the day (Adriana Newman had a defensive save) before Catherine Newkirk finally got one past her with 8:52 remaining in the second overtime.

Young made four big saves in the second extra session, including a few against Brie Carter before the Marathon standout picked up an assist on Newkirk's tally.

Carter sought Young out after the game and complimented her on the saves.

"Bella really wants it," Gentile said. "She wants to win and she's going to give everything she possibly can, and it's unfortunate."

On the goal, Young lunged to her right in an effort to stop Newkirk's shot and got her stick on the ground, but the ball managed to get into the cage.

The Olympians controlled the majority of the possession time, but found themselves facing a very stingy Eagle defense. They outshot SVEC, 6-1, in regulation and attempted nine shots in overtime before finally putting one away.

A day off from school may not have helped the Eagles either.

"You're taken out of your normal routine," Gentile said. "Same thing with Saturday's game. We had to travel two hours to get up there and you know, it's just not what they normally are doing. And so to adjust to that, they should be able to, because they're an experienced group of, but you know. We're still teenagers.

SVEC (5-8) needs one more victory to qualify for sectionals and closes out the regular season Tuesday night at Owego.

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IN PHOTO 1: SVEC's Bella Young. ... PHOTOS BY TIM TAYLOR.