NEW HAVEN, CONN. – For the first time in program history, the Maryville field hockey team defeated an NCAA Division I opponent with a 1-0 win at New Haven.
Cloey Turiello scored late in the first half for the game's only goal.
Jojo Cox made six saves in the shutout, including two on penalty strokes.
Sophia Newton had the game-saving defensive save when she cleared a shot off the line with 28 seconds left in the game to preserve the thrilling victory.
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How it Happened:
The Chargers carried the play in the first quarter with two penalty corners and three shots but the Saints defense kept the hosts off the scoreboard. The Maryville attack picked up in the second quarter as the Saints earned three penalty corners.
Denise Van der Spuy had the best chance but her shot was turned aside. Late in the half,
Andra Alexander made a rush up the right side of the New Haven defense. She centered the ball in front, and Turiello slotted the ball into the cage for her first goal of the season and a 1-0 lead at the 27:08 mark. UNH had a good shot late but Cox turned the shot aside.
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Early in the third quarter, New Haven drew a penalty stroke. The Chargers' shooter tried to go to the lower left corner but Cox made a dazzling leg save to keep the Saints up by one. UNH earned two more penalty corners but Cox again made the saves to keep the Saints up 1-0 leading into the fourth quarter.
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The Saints nearly doubled their lead when
Charissa Van den Hoorn had two shots saved. The Chargers were awarded another penalty stroke with just over seven minutes to play. UNH's shooter tried to fire a hard shot into the upper corner but Cox steered the attempt wide with her blocker. The Chargers had one final push in the waning seconds and put a shot on goal, but Newton came up with the defensive save with 28 seconds left to seal the historic victory.
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Records:
Maryville: 3-10
New Haven: 2-15
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What's Next?
The Saints look to build a three-game winning streak as they play at Dominican University in New York Monday, Oct. 26.
