Central Michigan University
Longwood
Chippewas Win OT Field Hockey Thriller
10/5/2014 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Andy Sneddon, CMUChippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - Cayleigh Immelman scored three goals, including the game-winner in overtime, as Central Michigan posted a dramatic 4-3 win over Longwood Sunday in a Mid-American Conference game at the CMU Field Hockey Complex.
"I'll say this every time we play, we needed this game," CMU coach Cristy Freese said. "We needed to be 2-0 in the conference heading into Miami on Friday. Really proud of our team for how they came back and obviously played a much stronger second half. Great team effort."
The Chippewas rallied twice from two-goal deficits in winning their second consecutive game to improve to 3-8 overall, 2-0 MAC. Longwood is 4-8, 1-3.
CMU plays host to Miami (Ohio) in a conference game on Friday, Oct. 10, then entertains Northwestern in a non-leaguer on Sunday, Oct. 12.
The RedHawks are 4-8, 2-0 and share first place with the Chippewas. Miami defeated CMU last season in the MAC Tournament championship game.
The Chippewas trailed, 2-0, when Jordyn Brengosz scored with under a minute remaining in the half to pull to 2-1.
Longwood got a goal from Hollie MacDonald on a penalty stroke with under 10 minutes remaining to restore the Chippewas' deficit to two goals, 3-1.
Just over two minutes later, Immelman scored off a Brengosz assist to draw CMU to 3-2. One minute, 16 seconds later, Immelman scored again to knot it 3-3. Kaysie Gregory assisted.
With just 28 seconds remaining in the first sudden-death overtime, Immelman unleashed a hard shot from the top of the circle through heavy traffic in front of Longwood keeper Lauren Bernard. The ball found the net, setting off the CMU celebration.
"I was surprised (the defender) gave me the space, actually, to take the shot, but I was happy she did," said Immelman, who leads the Chippewas with five goals this season. "We know the importance of the (MAC) games. I'm very proud of the team for coming back after being down."
Longwood outshot the Chippewas, 15-10, including 6-1 in overtime. Each team had six penalty corners. CMU goalkeeper Sadie Lynn Reynolds made eight saves, including two late in overtime to keep the game tied.
Gregory and Maude Stalars each had an assist for CMU, which has scored nine goals in its last three games.
"Our game is about pressuring and we made some adjustments for this game and obviously they didn't work in the first half," Freese said. "So that's on the coaching staff.
"We some adjustments at halftime to put Longwood under more pressure and we started controlling the game. Really it was all about pressuring and intercepting. I think we definitely had more energy in the second half, and by this time of the year, we should."
