Morrisville State nabs 5-4 overtime victory over Elmira

Sophomore forward Rebecca Quackenbush (Barker, NY) broke free on a fast break and fired the game winner into the back of the cage to lift the Morrisville State College field hockey team to a 5-4 overtime win over visiting Elmira College Wednesday afternoon in Morrisville.



The Mustangs notch their first victory of the 2011 season, while Elmira falls to 2-9 overall.



Quackenbush posted a collegiate best three goal performance, while Paige Jerrett (Parish, NY) netted a collegiate best two goals to lead the Mustangs. Morrisville State goalkeeper, Laura Blumenfeld (Rockland, NY) had eight saves in the win.



Elmira led 3-0 at the half, before the Mustangs staged the second half comeback, rallying for three straight scores, the first from Quackenbush just 1:53 into the second half on a chip shot off a feed from Abby Muraco (Amherst, NY).



At the 49 minute mark, Jerrett brought Morrisville State to within one with a tip on the left post, connecting on the initial shot from Rebecca Meyer (Morrisville, NY).



Quackenbush evened the score at three with an unassisted fast break tally down the right side of the field nearly four minutes later, but Elmira quickly responded with their fourth score of the afternoon just under two minutes later to regain the lead.



With 2:12 remaining on the clock, Jerrett found the back of the net for a second time off a feed from Joanna Tritto (West Babylon, NY) to force the sudden victory overtime period.



Dominating the extra period, Morrisville State had plenty of opportunities early on, but finally was able to get one past Elmira keeper Lauren Thomas, as Meyer and Quackenbush had a two on goalie fast break, with Quackenbush hitting the reverse stick shot for the win.



Thomas had 14 saves in the loss for the Soaring Eagles, while teammates McKenna Light had two goals, and Shannon Nelligan and Sarah Thommasen each posted one.



Morrisville State returns to the field Saturday at SUNY Cortland. Game time is scheduled for 1 p.m. on the Cortland campus.