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Staten Island, NY -- Another year, another overtime nail-biter to determine NEC field hockey supremacy.
This year it was Sacred Heart that came up golden as star midfielder Isabelle Chamberlain ended the Pios' 18-year title drought by finding the back of the cage 1:30 into the first overtime for a 1-0 win over tournament host and fourth-seeded Wagner. The title wss the second in program history for the third-seeded SHU..
Last year's NEC final also went to extra time with Rider downing Fairfield, 2-1. Three years earlier, the Stags beat the Broncs in OT by the same score to take home the trophy.
The entire game was a defensive battle as both teams stopped multiple penalty corners and shots throughout regulation. The Seahawks had four corners in the first quarter with SHU junior goalkeeper Samantha Maresca making saves on all four of them.
Looking to capture its first NEC crown, Wagner (6-12) went on to fire 10 shots, along including eight penalty corners, in the second quarter, compared to one for the Pioneers. Maresca made six saves in the second quarter alone. While Wagner dominated the first half with socring opportunities, Sacred Heart picked things up in the third quarter.
Sacred Heart (9-10) fired off six shots in the third with none of them finding the back of the cage as the Wagner defense stood tall. Freshman goalkeeper Puck Schenk made three stops for Seahawks. The third quarter was the only period that Sacred Heart tallied more than one shot, including overtime.
In overtime, Wagner was awarded four penalty corners with two of them resulting in shots.
In the 62nd minute, the Pios were awarded a penalty corner that made history.
Chamberlain. the NEC Tournament MVP and a first team All-NEC pick, was set up by Jaden Ray and Madelyn Kidd off the corner at the top of the circle. The senior midfielder had great positioning and was able to slot the ball past Schenk and into the left corner of the goal for the walkoff victory. It was her tenth goal of the season.
Both teams saw great performances out of their goalies as SHU's Maresca made 13 saves and Wagner' Schenk made three.
Wagner outshot SHU, 23-10, and earned more penalty corners with a 19-6 advantage.
The Pioneers will wait to see who they play next when the NCAA Division I Field Hockey bracket is released at 10 p.m. ET tonight.
NEC All-Tournament Team
Isabelle Chamberlain, Sr., M, SHU (MVP)
Emma Brayford, So., B, SHU
Madelyn Kidd, Fr., F, SHU
Samantha Maresca, Jr., GK, SHU
Madison Hoskins, Gr., M, WC
Emma Lofstedt, Jr., M/D, WC
Pilar Lorenzini, Fr., M/F, WC
Kate Fenner, Sr., M, FAIR
Noor Hellemans, Fr., M/D, FAIR
Ella Maillie, Sr., M, SFU
Madison Waldspurger, So., D, SFU