BUFFALO, N.Y. – The Medaille University field hockey team grabbed their first win of the season in an exciting fashion. The Mavericks beat fellow Empire 8 Conference member, the Elmira Soaring Eagles, 2-1.
It looked very promising for the Mavs right from the start. They were getting the ball up the field nicely.
Kylie Tolsma (Buffalo, NY, Sweet Home) took the first shot of the game.
Morgan Kramer (Sanborn, NY, Starpoint) took one almost thirty seconds later.
Justine Laverty (Middleport, NY, Royalton Hartland) took the next shot, and it ended in a corner opportunity.
Cassandra Diodate (East Amherst, NY, Williamsville North) fired for the Mavs, but the Soaring Eagles were able to make the save. They were able to get two more corners, but couldn't find the back of the goal. After some battling in the middle of the field, the Mavs found their way in the Soaring Eagles' territory, and gained another corner. Fouls brought the ball down the field, and at 11:46, Elmira had their first chance at a corner. They were able to get a couple of shots off, and another corner opportunity. They scored their only goal of the game at 13:14 off of the corner. The Mavs weren't able to make anything else happen before the first quarter ended, and they found themselves down 0-1.
The second quarter ended scoreless. The Mavs started strong again, getting an early corner less than one minute in. They got another one two minutes later, and
Cassie Deppner (Burlington, ON, Nelson) got the first shot of the quarter off, but it was saved. They were able to get two more corners, but the shots did not go in. At 21:25, Elmira took their first shot of the quarter, but
Kristyn Clare (Rochester, NY, East Irondequoit) was able to keep it out of the goal. They had two corners in a row, but were not successful. Play started to get more physical and Laverty was given a green card at 27:05. It didn't hurt the Mavs, as they kept the Elmira offense quiet. They got one more corner opportunity before the half, but it ended in fouls. The Mavs still trailed 0-1.
Just like before, the Mavs started things in the second half with some more offense. They got a corner four and a half minutes in, then another thirty seconds later that ended in a shot form Deppner that was blocked. Elmira brought the ball all the way up the field, and were awarded a corner at 36:42. The shot taken was saved by Clare. More back-and-forth went on, before the Soaring Eagles started to put some pressure on the Mavs defense. A shot went wide, then there were three corners in a row. It ended on a stroke, but Clare was able to stop it with her hand. It was an incredible save.
The Mavs defense was up for the challenge, and held Elmira scoreless in the third.
The final quarter is where the Mavs kicked it into high-gear.
Regan Haberl (Clarence, NY, Clarence) started things off with an early shot on goal. The Soaring Eagles brought the ball back into Mav territory, and had five corners in five minutes. After the last one,
Kendall Wier (Buffalo, NY, West Seneca East) took her opportunity to take the ball up the field. She went all the way, and put the ball in the back of the net. The Mavs were tied 1-1. They kept their feet on the gas and charged back up the field two minutes later. Deppner was the one to but the ball past the goalie, and the Mavs made their comeback. It was a 2-1 game with less than five minutes to go. Elmira got one more chance at a corner, but the Mavs took the ball out, and earned their first win of the season!
Game leaders for the Mavericks were Deppner with one goal and three shots on goal, Wier with one goal on one shot on goal, and Clare with eight saves facing nine shots.
The Mavs will look ahead to their next Empire 8 matchup against Sage. They will play at home on Saturday, September 24 for a 2:00 p.m. start.
