PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. – An overtime winner, a freshman record and a victory over the No. 6 team in the country made for a memorable Wednesday at Peter X. Finnerty Field, as Pace University Field Hockey knocked off No. 6 Bloomsburg University, 1-0, in overtime.
After more than 60 minutes of scoreless field hockey, Grace Francis delivered the moment the Setters had been waiting for. Just 2:20 into overtime, Francis found the back of the cage for the game-winner, setting off a celebration as Pace secured a statement victory over the nationally ranked Huskies.
The dramatic finish was made possible by another outstanding performance from the Setters' defense and freshman goalkeeper Tara Dusée.
With neither side willing to give an inch throughout regulation, Dusée answered every challenge that came her way. The freshman turned aside all four shots on goal she faced, keeping Bloomsburg scoreless through regulation and giving Pace the opportunity to win it in overtime.
The clean sheet was Dusée's fourth of the season, tying the Pace freshman goalkeeper record for shutouts. Her latest came on one of the biggest stages of her young career, shutting down the No. 6 team in the nation for more than 62 minutes.
Pace continued to push at the other end, finishing with an 11-10 advantage in shots while earning nine penalty corners to Bloomsburg's six. When the opportunity finally arrived in overtime, Francis made sure it counted and one swing was all the Setters needed.
Francis' winner sent the Setters pouring onto the field and put the finishing touch on a defensive battle that ended with Pace celebrating an upset of one of the nation's top teams by a final score of 1-0.
The Setters return to action Friday, Oct. 2, when they travel to Manchester, NH, to face Southern New Hampshire University at 6:00 p.m.
