Box Score



SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – Freshman Anna Behm (Kutztown, Pa./Kutztown) scored her second game-winning goal of the season as the Kutztown University field hockey team took down No. 9 Slippery Rock in overtime, 3-2, on Saturday afternoon at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Freshman goalkeeper Kayla Denlinger (Manheim, Pa./Hempfield) kept the Golden Bears alive, denying a breakaway opportunity by SRU in the opening minutes of the extra frame.
 
The Maroon and Gold got the scoring started just 3:12 into the first half when Behm crossed a ball that found senior Jenna Gregory (Phillipsburg, N.J./Phillipsburg) in front of the cage to net the first of the day. Gregory returned the favor almost 10 minutes later when she hit Behm to bury the game's second goal as KU built a two-goal lead at the 12:57 mark. SRU's Ally Banks answered back to cut the deficit in half, 2-1, as the Golden Bears carried the one-goal lead into the break.
 
Slippery Rock picked up the attack in the second half, tripling its shots from the first half. Despite the surge, Kutztown's Denlinger stood tall between the pipes, turning away eight shots from Slippery Rock. In the 66th minute of action, SRU's Gabrielle Malishchak knotted the game at two apiece, sending the game into overtime.
 
In the extra frame, Slippery Rock's Lindsay Brown had a chance to put the game away on a break but Denlinger rejected her to give the Golden Bears momentum. In the 77th minute, senior Imani Ferguson (Mt. Laurel, NJ/Lenape) set up Behm in front of the net to grab KU's fourth victory of the season, 3-2.
 
Picking up her first collegiate victory, Denlinger made eight saves as she played the final 42:26 of the contest. Taking the loss for Slippery Rock was Courtney Lee who made nine saves.
 
The Golden Bears out shot Slippery Rock, 15-12, and were awarded nine penalty corners while the Rock had seven.
 
The squad will close up a three-game road swing when it travels to West Chester on Wednesday to take on the Golden Rams. Game time is set for 4:00 p.m.