Bonhivert's OT Goal Rescues Field Hockey in Comeback Victory

ERIE, Pa. – The Frostburg State Field Hockey team earned themselves another overtime victory, coming back to defeat Mercyhurst on the road Tuesday afternoon by a final score of 3-2.

Frostburg started quickly on offense, earning a penalty corner just over two minutes in, but were unable to get a shot on goal. After each teams traded multiple fouls, Mercyhurst was able to find the back of the cage on their first shot of the game for a 1-0 lead midway through the first quarter. The Bobcats proceeded to put together multiple offensive tries, earning three penalty corners, and taking two shots from sophomore Paige Leitzel and senior Ashlyn Cave, both being stopped by Lakers goalie Kayla Desormeau. In a quarter which favored the hosts, MU pushed for another try at goal, capitalizing again for a 2-0 lead with five minutes remaining in the first. FSU rounded out the quarter with three penalty corners and a shot from senior Emilie Bonhivert, but found themselves down 2-0 after the first 15 minutes of play.

Two minutes into the second quarter, Frostburg tried to fire back as Leitzel ripped another try at goal, but was stopped by Desormeau once more. The Bobcats continued to keep the ball on their offensive half, as senior Skyler Slimmer and junior Ava Wadell got in on the offensive action, each firing a shot at goal but couldn't find the cage. FSU held Mercyhurst to no shots in the quarter, as Bonhivert and Cave each took attempts, followed by a shot from junior Olivia Wenzel, but the Bobcats remained down 2-0 heading into the break.

Both teams started off slow to start the second half, as the Lakers struggled to keep the ball on their offensive half, while FSU continued to fire tries at goal. After two shots that were saved, Frostburg was finally able to slice the ball into the back of the cage, as senior Zoe Reading brought the game to 2-1 with three minutes left to go in the third quarter. Bonhivert and freshman Gracie Daniels each attempted a shot to finish off the quarter, as Mercyhurst cliched onto their 2-1 lead.

The Lakers were able to open the fourth quarter with two penalty corners, but the FSU defense held firm, not allowing a shot on either. The Bobcats were finally able to tie the game up at two apiece, as Reading found junior Macy Layfield for a perfect shot into the back of the net. With now 10 minutes remaining, both teams played lock down defense as Wenzel fired the lone shot in the last few moments of regulation, as the game was sent into overtime tied at two.

FSU wasted no time to put the game away, as Bonhivert gave the Bobcats the victory, knocking the ball past Desormeau in the first minute of overtime for a 3-2 Frostburg win.

On the day, Frostburg led in shots 17-2, with 12 shots being on target, and led in penalty corners 16-3. 

With the win, FSU improves to 8-5 on the season, while Mercyhurst falls to 2-10. The Bobcats will return home to face No. 1 East Stroudsburg on Saturday, October 14 at 2 PM. For more information and updates, please visit frostburgsports.com.