GREENWOOD - After going 0-3 last season in overtime games, including a shootout loss to Belmont Abbey, the Lander Field Hockey team got off on the right foot in 2023 as they took down the Belmont Abbey Crusaders, 1-0 in overtime on Saturday afternoon at Frank Hill Stadium.
Lander picks up their first win of the season, improving to 1-1 on the year and in SAC play while Belmont Abbey dropped to 0-5 and 0-3 in SAC play.
The first half of the game was a defensive battle as only one shot was taken total in the first 30 minutes as both teams headed into halftime tied at zero.
After the halftime break, the Bearcats started to grow into the game as they would put up eight shots, putting six of them on target. However, Chloe Parker would answer the call each time saving all six of Lander's shots on frame, keeping the game scoreless as regulation would come to an end.
Lander continued on the front foot in the first overtime period as they would have four penalty corners and put two more shots on target but Parker was there to answer the call each time.
That pattern continued into the second overtime period and the game seemed destined to go to a shootout for a second consecutive year, however, a ball found it's way up and over Parker to a waiting
Philippine Drost (Almelo, Netherlands) who slotted home the game-winner into the open net to give Lander their second consecutive win over the Crusaders.
The Bearcats are back in action on Tuesday as they travel to the lowcountry of South Carolina to take on the Coker Cobras. That game is scheduled to start at 4:00 PM.
