Field Hockey is Handed a Heartbreaking Loss to Arcadia in Double Overtime 2-1

(box score) / (video highlights)

Senior forward Samantha Balonis (Northumberland, PA) netted her fifth goal of the season as Widener lost to Commonwealth Conference foe Arcadia, 2-1 in double overtime at Edith R. Dixon Field.

Widener was outshot by Arcadia 19-6, but the defense kept the visitors to only one goal in regulation. Junior goalkeeper Maggie Karmeris (Wilmington, DE) finished with a season-best 14 saves and senior captain Hannah Dinsmore (Wayne, PA) played unstoppable as the shutdown defender and team leader.

Arcadia scored first in the sixth minute when Katrina Dull took a penalty corner and found Taylor Dalisera at the top of the circle. Dalisera struck the ball towards the net where teammate Debbie Wolfe deflected the ball into the right corner of the goal to give Arcadia the 1-0 lead.

Widener (4-8, 0-3 CC) fought back in the second half and in the 40th minute was able to tie the score off an unassisted goal at 1-1. Sophomore forward Meghan Garvey (Avondale, PA) hit the ball towards Balonis in front of the net. Balonis felt the pressure from Arcadia defenders and took a quick one-time shot. Opposing goalkeeper Brittany Hodson saved the first attempt but Balonis garnered the rebound, took a dribble to the outside and shot the ball past the left foot of Hodson. Balonis stands second on the team with five goals and 12 points.

The game remained tied and headed into the two 15-minute, sudden-death overtime periods. Arcadia took five penalty corners and eight shots in the overtime periods, but Widener's defense was up to the task as Karmeris made six saves and freshman Dana Adamson (Warrington, PA) added a defensive save to her credit.

In the 91st minute, six minutes into the second overtime, Karmeris made a diving foot save off a shot from Arcadia's Morgan Paese. Continuing the play Paese picked up the rebound and passed the ball into the middle to find Wolfe, who scored her second goal of the game.

Widener returns to action at Edith R. Dixon Field on Saturday against conference foe Albright at noon.

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