Field Hockey Falls to Fitchburg State in Overtime

Fitchburg State junior Madeline Hoffman, a Mansfield High product, tallied the game winner 1:20 into overtime as the Falcons defeated the Framingham State University field hockey team 3-2 this afternoon in Little East Conference action at Maple Street Field.

With the win, the Falcons improve to 5-7 on the season and are now 1-6 in the conference, while the Rams fall to 2-9 overall with the loss and are also 1-6 in the Little East.

The Falcons staked themselves a 2-0 lead at the intermission after Hoffman tallied her first of the game in the 17th minute and senior Julia Gimenez followed in the 21st minute as she converted on a 2 on 1 with the Rams keeper and beat her with a shot to the left.

The Rams answered with a pair of second half goals to tie the game and force overtime. Freshman Meaghann Ackerman ) tallied her third of the season in the 43rd minute as she converted a penalty stroke. Junior Sharon Searsconnected with senior Cady Kelly and Kelly found the back of cage for her fist marker of the year in the 67th minute.

Fitchburg State took advantage of a penalty corner in the opening minutes of overtime to secure their first conference victory. Margaret Gallagher found Hoffman off a corner and Hoffman one timed a shot into the cage for the game-winner.

The Falcons outshot the Rams 26-4 in the game and held a 15-6 edge in penalty corners.

Senior Rosemary Talbot recorded 12 saves for the Rams but was tagged with the loss for the Rams, while Judith Valentin earned the victory for the Falcons working the overtime period.

The Rams are back in action on Tuesday afternoon when they entertain Anna Maria in a non-conference game beginning at 4 p.m.