Madison, NJ—The Sage Colleges' field hockey program opened the 2019 season on Friday night competing in the Drew University Fall Festival. The match marked the debut of rookie head coach Tamara Mills for the Gators. For the second time in two years, the match went to overtime but this time Drew triumphed, 3-2 over Sage. Drew improves to 1-0 on the young season, while Sage falls to 0-1.
The contest marked the change in the new rules for the Gators as the sport has shifted from a pair of two 35 minute halves to four 15 minute quarters.
Sage struck first as sophomore forward Sara O'Connor (Rexford, NY/Niskayuna) scored her first goal of the year at the 11:14 mark of the match. Drew tied the action at 19:39 as Carly Schiller scored the equalizer. Sophomore Charity Rushinski (Shushan, NY/Salem Central) gave Sage a 2-1 lead on a feed from sophomore midfielder Cortney Conley (Stanfordville, NY/Stissing Mountain) at 41:42. Drew tied the action at 50:12 as Lauren Zultowski scored for the Rangers.
Headed to overtime Sage had a scoring opportunity off a penalty corner, but could not strike for the game-winner. Drew's Charlotte Grimm had a shot off a penalty corner and Gator keeper sophomore Abigayle Greier (Elma, NY/Iroquois Central) made the initial save before Grimm sunk the game-winner at 60:57 to propel the Rangers past Sage, 3-2.
Greier finished with five saves in the action, while Drew's starter Joie Slossar made two saves with two goals allowed in 30 minutes of work. Bridget Kenny came in the game to work 31:45 and made three saves and had no goals allowed in net.
A first-year varsity program in 2018, Sage went 4-13 on the year. A year ago, Sage posted a 3-2 win in overtime over the Rangers in the first meeting of the two programs.
Sage will be back in action on August 31 facing Cabrini College at 5:45 in the final match of the Drew Fall Festival.
