CENTER VALLEY, Pa. (September 28, 2019) – Sophomore Haleigh Flukey capped off a hat trick with the game-winning goal 4:23 into overtime to send the FDU field hockey team past DeSales University 5-4 Saturday afternoon.

FDU improves to 8-2 overall, 1-0 within the Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom as DeSales drops to 3-7, 0-1 in the conference.

The two sides combined for just two shots in the opening period, with the Bulldogs netting the first goal of the affair. With 2:28 left in the quarter, Allie Ball got loose in the box and scored off the near post to give the hosts a 1-0 edge.

The Devils were able to level the game just 1:08 into the second stanza. Off a penalty corner, sophomore Sydney Moskal fired a shot that Flukey redirected into the back of the cage. Four minutes later, FDU took their first lead of the afternoon. Moskal had an initial scoring attempt stopped, but senior Jessica Pietracatella pounced on the rebound to give FDU a 2-1 edge.

The Devils weren't done scoring in the quarter, as Flukey notched her second tally of the afternoon. Sophomore Emilee Vizzuso sent a pass into the circle that Flukey tipped past the charging goalkeeper, stretching the score to 3-1. Nearly two minutes later, the host Bulldogs gained a corner and capitalized, as Sarah Peterson's shot deflected off a Devils stick and in. DeSales had a succession of penalty corners late in the period, but junior Megan March made two saves before the Devils were able to clear the zone.

The two sides each had five shots over the first 30 minutes, while DeSales held a slim 5-4 edge in the penalty corner department.

The Bulldogs needed 1:32 in the third quarter to tie the game at three. Peterson registered her second marker of the afternoon that eluded March off a corner attempt. The hosts nearly gained a lead five minutes later, but Moskal was able to notch a defensive save to keep things level at three.

March made a save at the 37 minute, and the Devils responded with a goal 40 ticks later. This time senior Marie Pietracatella hit a backhanded shot that just trickled over the goal-line to give the lead. DeSales evened the game at four with a mere 45 seconds left on the clock in the third, as a one-timer from just inside the circle went in, and the teams ended the final period tied at four-all.

The Bulldogs took all seven shot attempts in the fourth quarter but were unable to put a shot on target. In the 7-on-7 extra period, senior Maggie Sohns maneuvered into the attacking zone and centered a pass to Flukey. The sophomore ripped a shot that went just inside the far post, giving the Devils the 5-4 triumph in their conference opener.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Flukey recorded her fourth game of two or more goals this season. The sophomore took only three shots in the game.
• March made four saves in the contest, including three in the third quarter.
• Moskal notched an assist, and a defensive save, and she has picked up an assist in back-to-back games.
• It is the first time that both Jessica and Marie Pietracatella have scored in the same game during their college career. 

UP NEXT
The Devils are back in action on Tuesday, hosting William Paterson University at 7 p.m.