Kent State University
(11-8)
Miami
(12-8)
Back-To-Back: Field Hockey Wins MAC Tournament Championship in Double OT Thriller
11/7/2015 6:16:00 PM | Field Hockey
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – It took a grueling double-overtime game, but Kent State was able to capture a back-to-back Mid-American Conference Tournament title in a 3-2 victory against Miami on Saturday afternoon.
Ines Delpech dribbled in and snuck a shot past the goalkeeper from straight on at the 96th minute for the victory. The Golden Flashes now receive an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament and will find out where and who they will play during the selection show Sunday night at 10 p.m. Field Hockey has now won 12 MAC Championships in the past 11 seasons and has won both the regular season and tournament title for two-straight years.
The RedHawks were able to score first right after the opening whistle, just 2:20 into the championship match. However, Kent State stayed composed and countered with a goal of its own two minutes later. On a corner play, Delpech rifled off a shot that Jamie Fries got a touch on to tie the game.
The Golden Flashes took a 2-1 lead into halftime after Krysti Lober scored at the 20:22 mark.
Miami tied things up at 46:36 to send the game to overtime. The RedHawks outshot the Golden Flashes 9-5 in the two overtime periods, but Andrea Rinehart was stalwart in net and Jessica Nesbitt had an incredible defensive save, batting an airborne shot away from cage eight minutes in to the final overtime period to keep the Flashes in it.
It was Nesbitt who dribbled a ball up the sideline and passed inside to Delpech to set up the game-winner as the Flashes took the championship 3-2.
Miami outshot Kent State 21-17 in the contest and had more corners, 11-8. Delpech led all on the field with six shots while Alison Harmatz finished with three.
Rinehart had eight saves in net on the day en route to being named MAC Tournament MVP and a spot on the All-MAC Tournament Team. Delpech, Nesbitt, and Silvia Figa Malgosa joined in with All-MAC Tournament Team honors.
Stay tuned to kentstatesports.com and follow @KentStFH on Twitter for updates as the Golden Flashes continue on in NCAA postseason play.
Team Stats
LASKOWITZ, Ashley (4)
Assisted By: PORTUGAL, Paula
GOAL by MIAMI LASKOWITZ, Ashley (FIRST GOAL), Assist by PORTUGAL, Paula, goal number 4 for season.
2:20
FRIES, Jamie (2)
Assisted By: DELPECH, Ines
GOAL by KENTST FRIES, Jamie, Assist by DELPECH, Ines, goal number 2 for season.
4:20
LOBER, Krysti (5)
GOAL by KENTST LOBER, Krysti, goal number 5 for season.
20:22
HERAS, Mariona (6)
Assisted By: OTTEN, Henni
GOAL by MIAMI HERAS, Mariona, Assist by OTTEN, Henni, goal number 6 for season.
46:36
DELPECH, Ines
GOAL by KENTST DELPECH, Ines.
96:53
