Marlins Extend Win Streak with Late Heroics

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. -- It took two overtime periods, but a late goal lifted Virginia Wesleyan College past Randolph-Macon 3-2 in Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) field hockey action Wednesday. The win was the first for the Marlins in the young history of Birdsong Field and extends VWC's win streak to three games.

It was the first victory for the Marlins over the Yellow Jackets since 2006 when VWC defeated Randolph-Macon twice, 3-2 in overtime in the regular season matchup before claiming a 2-0 ODAC tournament win.

Kali Carroll found Victoria Cappadora for the game's initial score as Randolph-Macon took the 1-0 lead at 8:13.

That lead would carry into the second half when Morgan Lee sent a shot from just inside the circle in the 41st minute to knot the contest back at one. The momentum from the game-tying score carried the Marlins to a second score six minutes later when Sam Jackson laced a ball in front of the Randolph-Macon keeper where Asiah Allen poked it into the back of the cage.

Randolph-Macon had one final push in regulation as Skyler Seligman sent a penalty corner out to the edge of the circle. Mackenzie Turner took the pass, moved into the circle and ripped a shot that was saved by Skye Swain. The ball deflected out to Rachel Gist who managed to corral the ball, set herself, and finish off the play for the 2-2 score that carried into overtime.

Both teams had multiple chances in overtime due in large part to the fact that only seven players take the field at a time, making for more opportunities to spread the field and get a big play.

Swain turned away three shots on goal by the Yellow Jackets in the first overtime period while Kelsey Stanley stopped five balls for Randolph-Macon. Kaitee Nicholas added a defensive save off Jenna Serna's shot at 83:43 to send the contest to double overtime.

Serna used the excitement of the crowd and her ability to get open in the circle to put away a pass from Melissa Rideout at the 90:29 mark of the second overtime period to finish off the exciting comeback.

Stanley made 17 saves for Randolph-Macon (7-6/1-2 ODAC) while Swain stopped nine shots for Virginia Wesleyan.

The Marlins maintained a 27-15 edge in shots and a 17-7 lead in penalty corners.

Virginia Wesleyan (5-9/1-1) travels to No. 12 Lynchburg College (10-2/2-1) Saturday for a 1 p.m. start.