CLARK, NJ – The final match of day one of the NJCAA DIII National Champion Tourney featured the #3 seed Mohawk Valley against the #6 seed Union County College Owls. Regulation play was not enough as the Hawks scored in the second OT with just 45 ticks left on the clock to win by the count of 5-4. With the win, Mohawk Valley sits at 5-0-1 on the season as the Owls fall to 6-5.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hawks jumped out to an early 2-0 lead, but Union County would not go away quietly. The Owls would get two goals before intermission from Hailey Goncalves and Brooke Swandrak. At the break, the match was tied 2-2.
Out of the break, the Owls would jump ahead 3-2 thank to a goal from Grace De Araujo. The hometown crowd was into it and the momentum shifted to the Owls. The Hawks would answer back though with back-to-back goals from Reilly Rich to put Mohawk Valley back in front by the count of 4-3.
Another momentum swing in this back-and-forth contest took place late in the match. In the 84th minute Michelle Taras came through in the clutch and found the back of the net to tie it up, 4-4.
And 90 minutes was not enough to decide this match!
In the second OT, with just 45 second remaining, it was Reilly Rich with the game winner on a free kick that sailed just over the goalies head for the victory. Rich ended the match with four goals.
UP NEXT
#2 seed Delta will return to the pitch on Thursday against the winner of the #3 seed Mohawk Valley. Start of this contest will take place at 7 PM.
#7 seed Elgin CC falls to the consolation bracket and will face the #6 seed Union County College on Thursday at 1:30 PM.
