HUNTINGDON, Pa.- The Juniata field hockey team could not complete a comeback victory against Landmark Conference opponent Drew University in a 2-1 overtime loss at Knox Stadium.
The Rangers first opened the scoring log in the second period of a first half that featured just five shots from both teams, including three from Juniata's Tess Ledeboer in the first period from close range. In the 21st minute, the Rangers drew their second-straight penalty corner and converted a shot from ten yards out to the left side of the goal.
Juniata returned from the halftime break looking to draw level, stringing together three straight penalty corners and two more shots from Ledeboer. In the 41st minute, Brittney McMullen made a vital save on a strong shot in the air.
The Eagles continued to create chances early in the fourth quarter, drawing a penalty corner in the first minute of the period, followed by a foul to create a penalty stroke. Kaylyn Walters stepped up to take the shot, just missing the low-left corner. With only four minutes remaining, the Eagles drew another penalty corner and were able to convert to get the score to one apiece.
Sierra Rossman took the corner and made her initial pass to nearby Colleen Creneti. She played the ball in with pace in front of the goal, where Sydney Witter tipped the ball in the air left of the Rangers keeper to Caitlin Steffie, who just had to tap the ball into the cage. That was the last chance of the fourth period, sending the game into overtime.
Juniata generated the first chance of overtime 90 seconds in, but Witter's shot from about five yards out on the break did not get past the keeper. In the 64th minute, Drew generated a penalty corner, played the initial pass to the center of the field, and the ball sent into the dangerous zone was tipped in on the right post to give Drew the victory.
Ledeboer ended with six of Juniata's ten shots, including four shots on goal. McMullen made one save on the day.
The Juniata field hockey team will look to regain momentum with a nonconference game at Marywood this Wednesday at 4:00 p.m.
