In a little under 72 minutes of play on Saturday afternoon, Cornell field hockey (4-0) proved that it is the team to watch this fall. The Red gave its fans something to talk about long after a star-studded performance and exciting 2-1 outcome that left hearts pounding in the stands of Marsha Dodson Field.

Just when it looked like Lock Haven (3-3) was about to clinch its second victory in two seasons against Cornell, the Red was able to turn the tide in its favor.

Behind 1-0 late in the second half, head coach Donna Hornibrook called a time-out to regroup and strategize.

“We came out of the time-out with a little bit of fire,” Hornibrook said. “I feel that we went into it having had some good opportunities, but we were clearly getting frustrated.”

With 36.5 seconds left on the clock, junior midfielder Kate Thompson scored the tying goal to propel the Red into overtime. Junior attacker Catie De Stio handled the ball upfield and forced Lock Haven to draw a foul in the circle. From the corner, De Stio fed senior tri-captain Natalie Appleton who crossed the ball to Thompson, who lasered a shot between Eagle goalie Erin Terreson’s legs.

“Catie did an excellent job of getting in on the left side and creating a penalty corner,” Hornibrook said. “We were finally able to break through. All game she was dynamic.”

Ms. Clutch: Senior attacker Kelly Kantarian (16) scored the game-winner in overtime against Lock Haven on Saturday.Following regulation play, the Red united to talk tactics while catching its breath and mustering up all of the energy it had left.

“We got some momentum and we discussed the fact that it would be a new style of play,” Hornibrook said. “The frustration we experienced previously on defense had to stop. Our strategy was to pass and release the ball and avoid taking people on one on one.”

The Red didn’t waste any time in overtime, winning the match with a sudden goal at 1:35 in the extra period. Senior tri-captain and Ivy League Player of the Week Kelley Kantarian was clutch in the victory, producing the game-winning goal from a one-touch setup by junior midfielder Mattie Prodanovic.

“Overtime was a completely different game,” Hornibrook said. “Lock Haven had difficulty organizing their defense like they had throughout the first two halves and I think that that opened the game up for us and allowed us to keep possession. I don’t know that Lock Haven even touched the ball in O.T. and that was exactly what we wanted to have happen. Mattie gave a lifted pass over some defenders’ sticks and Kelley was in a good high angle to finish it.”

The Eagles did the best they could to resist the Red offense’s 18-shot run, and in the cage, Terreson contributed a nine-save effort. Hornibrook was impressed by the opponent’s consistency in Saturday’s contest, “You have to give Lock Haven credit,” she said. “They played a very good defensive game, and athletically, they are very solid. Lock Haven’s sticks were flat and they were trapping well. Over the last two years, our games against them have been right down to the wire. They have been to the NCAA playoffs, so they are an experienced, seasoned team. That being said, it was a good win for us.”

Once again, the Red held its own in the defensive quarter, allowing just five shots throughout the course of the game. In addition, Cornell caused only three corners to Lock Haven’s eight. Sophomore Alex Botte started the game between the pipes, registering the Red’s only save and letting in the Eagle’s solo goal of the day before senior Melanie Jue took over in the second half. Both Jue and junior midfielder Sara Sanders made big tackles to end two potentially dangerous Lock Haven attacks.

“This game has been different from all of our others this season because we didn’t start out ahead,” Prodanovic said. “We came from behind, so I think it served as a lesson that it is not over until the last buzzer sounds. We maintained possession, kept the ball up field, and got the shot off. It was a great win as we head into Ivies on Friday.”

Thompson also looks forward to beginning the Ivy League season, “We have some things that we would like to improve on over the next couple of days, but each line is looking very solid. We are playing on grass turf this week, so it will require an adjustment. But whatever happens, we are in it together as a team.”