Padilla Goal Lifts No. 4 Field Hockey in Overtime
EWING, N.J. – A goal by Sidney Padilla off a corner after the first overtime horn sounded lifted The College of New Jersey field hockey team past Ursinus College Thursday night. The fourth-ranked Lions improved to 6-1 on the year, while the 20th-ranked Bears fell to 5-3. The Lions have now won three straight games against the Bears, a first in the rivalry since the 2011-12 seasons. Both teams had opportunities in the opening half, trading blows with each defense making key stops when called upon. The Lions maintained a slight shot advantage, while the Bears held a 5-2 edge in penalty corners. In the second half the team continued the frantic pace, but neither defense gave in. Lions goalie Maddie Beaumont made several sprawling saves to keep Ursinus off the board. She would finish with four saves in the shutout victory. Midway through the second half, the Lions appeared to get on the board when twice Tori Tiefenthaler, then Kayla Peterson put three shots behind the Bears goalie. Each time however, a defender's stick was in place to keep the ball in play. TCNJ controlled play for the majority of the extra session holding 3-0 shot and 5-0 penalty corner advantages. It would be the final corner, the Lions 12th of the game that would ultimately be the deciding factor. Padilla received the insert from Cayla Andrews and found the back of the cage to send the home fans home happy. The Lions return to action Saturday, when they begin NJAC play with a trip to Mahwah, N.J. to face Ramapo College. Pushback is set for 4:30 p.m.