By LOGAN RIPLEY
Sports Editor
Regulation play wasn’t enough for the Southern New Hampshire Penmen as they needed overtime to knock off the favored Golden Knights of Saint Rose 3-2 in front of the gold-blooded crowd on Saturday afternoon.
Elisa Galbiati started the scoring for the game with the only goal in the first period. After the ball was headed around in the box, with the Penmen goalie unable to clear it, Galbiati headed it in to give an early lead to the Golden Knights who were rocky in the start.
At the end of the first period Saint Rose was in the lead but probably shouldn’t have been. The first half focused on winning the 50-50 balls, that was highly dominated by the Penmen. Number nine for Southern New Hampshire Trisha Luis set the tone early with some hard hits and challenges that would be costly later in the game for Saint Rose.
The turning point of the game came at the beginning of the second half when a gutsy penalty kick was awarded after a low challenge on the ball from Saint Rose. Goalie Marika Laurendeau for the Golden Knights hardly moved when Devyn Jacobs of Southern New Hampshire struck the ball to the lower right corner tying the game.
Another goal just two minutes later for Southern New Hampshire would again paralyze Saint Rose. This ball was scored off a defensive mistake; Miranda Peloquin for the Penmen assisted on the play to Devyn Jacobs who scored her second goal of the day.
Saint Rose, down two goals to one, looked beat because of the heat, but a well-timed sub altered the game. Julia Porzio scored her first goal at Saint Rose which was pivotal in gaining momentum back.
“I saw that Nina had the ball and I found a opening where she could pass it to me,” said Porzio. “I went to the opening, yelled for it, she passed it perfectly and I slotted it in the bottom left corner of the goal.”
Porzio’s goal helped a weakened Golden Knights team, they saw a flurry of injuries on the field which in comparison to the penmen felt like one to 100. What led to the injuries was the hard-hitting and challenging players of Southern New Hampshire and also the 90 degree day.
Tied 2-2 at the end of regulation, the referees announced golden goal in the 10 minute overtime, meaning if there is a goal scored then it is over for good.
Southern New Hampshire scored in walk-off fashion with 5:39 on the clock. Miranda Peloquin for the Penmen scored the winning goal assisted by Abigail Maker. The cross into the box by Maker personified the game for Saint Rose as they again missed a 50-50 ball but this one led to end of the game.
Morgan Burchhardt was not in the lineup for Saint Rose because of an injury suffered last week, and it looks as though she will be out for the rest of the year. Even though she was not playing she lived up to her captain title, still directing players and friends from the sideline.
“She really helped to direct me and the rest of the forwards and showed us the ropes,” said Porzio. “She’s still an amazing captain off the field.”
With a final score of 3-2, it was a great game of endurance as the sun didn’t let up for a moment of the 90-plus minute game.
Saint Rose will take the field when they face off against Saint Michaels at home on Sept. 14.
