Forbes Road 1 Mercersburg Academy 1 OT

The Forbes Road Cardinal Field Hockey team (13-1-1) found themselves in unknown territory Tuesday afternoon at home playing the Blue Storm from Mercersburg Academy.  The Cardinals had to play comeback against a determined Blue Storm team that came locked and loaded and ready to play.  The previous meeting between the teams ended 5-0 in the Cardinal’s favor.  Tuesday’s match, however, shaped up quite differently.

The Cardinals came out on attack right away earning several corners in the opening minutes.  Their quick shot attempts were denied by a determined Mercersburg defense.  After some back and forth mid-field play, the Blue Storm advanced down the field and into the circle to earn their own series of penalty corners.  With just 5 seconds remaining on the clock, Junior Annaliesse Cantera, found herself in scoring position on the final penalty corner play of the half.  The score at the half was Forbes Road 0, Mercersburg Academy 1.

A regrouped Cardinal squad came out to control most of the play the second half, but still had trouble capitalizing on their shot attempts.  A Cardinal team that is used to wearing down their opponents in the second half found themselves up against a relentless Blue Storm that just refused to quit.  However, the Cardinals dug deep and pushed through by utilizing free hit opportunities to get the ball back into the circle over and over again.  Finally 22 minutes into the half, Mara Broadwater, took advantage of a scramble in the circle due to a penalty corner to tie up the game.  Back to square one for both squads.  The Cardinals had several additional tries at goal in the remaining eight minutes, but regulation time expired to a 1-1 tie.

Tiebreak procedure in regular season play requires both teams to reduce from eleven players down to seven a side for one 15 minute sudden death overtime. During overtime, the Cardinals earned three additional penalty corners and tallied 4 shots at goal, while Mercersburg garnered one penalty corner and zero shots in the extra period. The 15 minutes would expire with no additional scores for either team.  Final score 1-1.

The Cardinals recognized their 6 seniors in a ceremony prior to the start of the match.  The Cardinals get a day of rest before taking on the Bearcats of Huntingdon Thursday at 4 pm in Huntingdon.

Game Statistics

Shots on Goal:  FR 17, MA 2

Penalty Corners:  FR 13, MA 6

Goalkeeper Saves:  FR 1 (Zoe Cutchall), MA 16 (Ryer Hastings)