Saratoga Springs, N.Y. -- The Skidmore College field hockey team will be returning to the NCAA Championships after an exciting 3-2 overtime win over Hamilton College in the Liberty League championship game played Saturday at Thoroughbred Field.  It's Skidmore's second straight and fifth overall league championship.

The 9th ranked Thoroughbreds have won nine straight for a 16-3 record. Hamilton finishes at 12-4. Skidmore has beaten the Continentals 14 consecutive times, a streak dating back to 1996.

 

The Thoroughbreds got the scoring started when Christine Kemp (Putnam Valley, N.Y.) centered a pass to Britt and she beat Hamilton goalie Courtney DeMaria at the 16:25 mark. Skidmore would make it 2-0 when Kemp made a move to get past her defender and fed Britt right in front of the goal less than five minutes later.

The Continentals wouldn't give up, Colleen Callaghan sent a pass to Amy Allen and she blasted a shot from 15 yards out to beat Thoroughbred keeper Liz Catinella (Sudbury, Mass.) to cut the lead to 2-1 with just under 12 minutes remaining and would tie it up just over one minute later when Catie Torcivia deflected Allen's shot and scored at the 59:44 mark.

 

The teams battled back and forth in overtime before Skidmore got a scoring chance in a 2-on-1 and Kemp passed to freshman Ceilidh MacNeill (Framingham, Mass.) but DeMaria came out of the goal to make the save with 4:37 remaining. Kemp was able to pick up a loose ball and set up Britt in a 2-on-1 for a diving shot that would be the game-winner with 3:58 remaining in overtime, her third of the game and 21^st of the season.

"Hamilton proved to be fierce adversary, never giving up, but the Thoroughbreds came through in overtime for the win," said Skidmore coach Beth Hallenbeck.  "Playing with skill, speed and heart, the Skidmore team would not be denied.  Elise Britt was brilliant today, scoring three goals, and playing with all-out effort to secure the win.  The team displayed the guts and determination it takes to win a post season game. 

"Despite being in control early, they had to rebound after Hamilton staged a comeback in the second half. Ultimately, it was Skidmore's ability to persevere through adversity and perform under pressure as a team that earned them the victory."

The Thoroughbreds outshot Hamilton 17-7, while the Continentals held a slight advantage in penalty corners, 13-11. Catinella made four stops for Skidmore and DeMaria had 10 saves for Hamilton.

 

The NCAA field will be announced Monday morning. Skidmore will be making its third straight and ninth overall NCAA appearance.

 

2009 Liberty League All-Tournament Team

 

 

MVP--Elise Britt                      Skidmore

 

Jen Stetson                             St. Lawrence

Erin McNally                            Hamilton

Amy Allen                                 Hamilton

Courtney DeMaria                  Hamilton

Marisa Spagnolo                    Hamilton