ST. MARY'S CITY, Md. - Penn State Harrisburg's field hockey team concluded the 2025 season in the United East Championship match, as they dropped an 1-0 decision in double overtime on Saturday afternoon, Nov. 8.


Penn State Harrisburg (13-3) had an early opportunity in the opening quarter with a penalty corner in the 13th minute, taken by Sadie Cook, but the ensuing shot by Ami Mattingly was saved by St. Mary's (13-5) goalkeeper Sophia Kent.


Both squads fought to gain control in the second quarter, but the Lions' defense successfully blocked a shot by Tori Hampton at the 19-minute mark to keep the contest scoreless. Midway through the period, Morgan Knott attempted a shot of her own for the home team, which went high, maintaining the deadlock going into halftime.


Mulholland denied several attempts from St. Mary's coming out of the half, including shots from Brenna Ziegler and Jena Vanskiver. Despite numerous penalty corners, Penn State Harrisburg's defense held firm, including a crucial defensive save by Alexis Nasuta against a shot by Julie Presgraves.


The Lions opened up the fourth quarter with a penalty corner by Victoria Castano Colman, aiming to break the 0-0 deadlock. Shortly after, Sadie Cook fired a shot, but it was saved by Kent in goal for the Seahawks. As the quarter progressed, the visitors continued to pressure St. Mary's, with Cook earning another penalty corner in the 50th minute. Despite their efforts, including a wide shot by Mattingly minutes later, the defense from St. Mary's held firm. Mulholland made a pair of saves to keep the hosts at bay in the final minutes of regulation and force the contest into overtime.


Nasuta generated offensive opportunities in the first overtime with two shots, one of which was saved by Kent, and another was cleared by a defensive save from Safiya Stimely. Mattingly's subsequent attempt was blocked as the visitors pressed forward. St. Mary's responded with a penalty corner opportunity, but Mulholland denied a shot from Josie Shermeyer, maintaining the stalemate.


The visitors immediately earned a penalty corner in the second overtime, executed by Castano Colman, although her subsequent shot went wide. Mulholland made crucial saves against shots from Elena Pasko and Watkins to maintain the deadlock early on. Despite Mulholland's efforts, however, the home team intensified their offensive pressure, culminating in a goal by Watkins in the 75th minute, securing the championship title for St. Mary's 1-0.


NOTABLES
- Mattingly, who registered three shots on the day, concluded her career with Penn State Harrisburg as the program's leader in goals with 27 and in total points with 59, in just one season with the Lions.
- Mulholland played all 75 minutes for the visitors in goal, recording an impressive 13 saves against the Seahawks.
- Nasuta tallied two shots on goal, while Castano Colman and Cook both added an attempt apiece.
- St. Mary's topped Penn State Harrisburg in total shots 30-7 and penalty corners 11-4.
- With Saturday's championship victory, the Seahawks have earned an automatic bid in the NCAA Tournament.
- Penn State Harrisburg concluded their second season in existence with a 13-3 winning-record, going 3-1 in United East Conference play.


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