CHESTERTOWN — Stevenson University scored a 2-1 come-from-behind victory here Friday night after giving up a goal to host Washington College with less than two minutes elapsed in non-conference field hockey action.
Shae Bennett netted both goals for the Mustangs, who won for the second year in a row in the series that dates to 1996.
Washington leads the series, 19-5, but is 6-4 over the last 10 meetings.
Friday’s game was the season opener for both schools, and came one day after Bennett, a junior midfielder, was placed on the National Field Hockey Coaches Association collegiate watchlist as a player with strong potential for region and All-America recognition.
Bennett did not disappoint; all three of her shots were on frame, including a stroke awarded in the 34th minute.
She scored the tying goal in the 14th minute and scored what held up as the game-winner, off a penalty corner, in the 25th minute.
Senior midfielder MaryCate Anson put Washington on the board just 1 minute, 14 seconds in, cashing in on a penalty corner insert from Emma Campbell.
Deadlocked at 1-all, the Shore ladies asserted themselves early in the second quarter with a pair of shots that bookended three corners in succession in the 18th minute, but it was the guests from Stevenson who made the most of their chances.
Bennett scored the go-ahead goal, and what held up as the winning goal, on the Mustangs’ first shot of the second quarter.
Stevenson dominated time of possession after intermission, and got off 13 shots in a row before Samantha McMahon and Anson had Washington’s only shots of the second half with less than two minutes remaining.
For the game, Stevenson led 20-6 in shots, including 12-3 in shots on frame, and 9-4 in corners, including 4-0 in the second half.
Washington junior keeper Charlotte Schurman was credited with nine saves, including a diving block of Bennett’s stroke.
Washington is home again on Wednesday night (7 o’clock) against No. 3-ranked Salisbury, which is coming off a 5-2 triumph over Stockton on Sunday afternoon. The Sea Gulls received a hat trick from All-American Marli McDorman, a Pocomoke High School grad, who scored three goals on five shots.
NOTE: Stevenson blanked Sewanee, 6-0, in its home opener on Sunday to improve to 2-0.
