Cardinals end in overtime tie

FIELD HOCKEY

By: John E. Powers
   The Lawrence High School field hockey team ended their season in a way that they’ll remember for a very long time.
   After being eliminated from the Mercer County Tournament by Hightstown, the Cardinals (5-9-3) finished the season with a three-game unbeaten streak – all of the games finishing in overtime.
   The Cardinals’ season ended Monday with a 1-1 tie with Nottingham in a make-up game as Melissa Casale scored. Because of darkness, the two teams were only able to play a five-minute overtime.
   "It’s too bad we couldn’t have continued," Lawrence coach Candace Mains said. "The kids were a little upset because it was their last game. But in the second half we started stepping up and really going for the ball. Unforutnatley we couldn’t have played the whole overtime, but it was good that it finished as a tie."
   Last week, Casale converted on a stroke in the fourth overtime as the Cardinals knocked off Ewing 3-2 in a county tournament consolation game. Devon Harris and Maria Eldridge scored in regulation and Sarah Gilbert also had a stroke score. Goalie Lisa Tamulis pitched in with a huge save.
   "It was definitely a tough game, both teams were evenly matched and both were coming off a loss," Lawrence coach Candace Mains said. "Our kids were pretty determined to do well in consolation game. They were pretty bummed about the Hightstown game. It wasn’t that close, but the kids went into the consolation game with a lot of determination. Those overtimes were pretty intense."
   The overtime streak wasn’t finished. On Thursday, junior Amanda DeFiccio scored the game-winner in overtime to beat Hamilton in another consolation game. Eldridge scored the first two Lawrence goals. Gilbert and Casale had assists and Tamulis had seven saves.
   "(DeFiccio) brought the ball down the left side, down on the end line and crossed it right in front and it deflected off the post and went in," Mains said. "It was a fast drive."