PITTSFORD, N.Y. – The Rhodes College field hockey team saw their 2016 season come to a close on Wednesday afternoon as they suffered a heartbreaking 2-1 loss to St. John Fisher in double overtime of the first round of the NCAA Field Hockey Championship.
 
The Lynx recovered from a slow start to force OT despite being out shot 24-5 in the match and 16-2 in shots on target. The Cardinals also had a 10-5 advantage in penalty corners in the contest.

Fisher, playing in their first ever NCAA postseason contest, jumped all over the Lynx, controlling possession throughout the first half and holding an 8-2 advantage in shots. Despite the offensive onslaught, the Rhodes defense, led by freshman Daryl Perry, senior Erin Best, and sophomore Abby Rockefeller kept the Cardinals scoreless in the half.

Junior Laura Eckelkamp was also big in goal, picking up five saves throughout the first half.

However, three minutes into the second half, Fisher struck as Lauren Fazio gave the Cardinals a 1-0 lead on an assists from Lexi Foley. It seemed as though the Cardinals were in control, but the Lynx had other plans.

The goal from their opponents seemed to light a spark under Rhodes as they began to piece together their attack and get looks. Despite being out shot in the second half, the Lynx held possession in Fisher territory for most of the second half and held a 3-1 advantage in penalty corners.

With about seven minutes remaining, senior Christina DiFelice found a whole in the defense and started a 2-on-1 break, bringing it into the box and finding freshman Haley Mules on the far post for the finish to tie the contest at one a piece. The final seven minutes would run down as the game moved into overtime.

In the first OT, Fisher got looks including a penalty stroke, but Eckelkamp, along with a little luck from the post, kept the game tied and forced a second overtime.

In the second OT, Fazio sent a long shot towards goal where it was deflected off the stick of Alexandrea Malley for the game winning golden goal to move the Cardinals onto the next round.

Perry was outstanding defensively while Eckelkamp picked up an impressive 14 saves in the contest. DiFelice was excellent to lead the attack all afternoon along with junior Lauren Travis while senior Grace Whelan and Mules were terrific off the bench.

Rhodes concludes their season at 15-3 with a Southern Athletic Association Regular Season and Tournament Championship. The Lynx depart seven seniors and thank them for their contribution to the program. The rest of the team will go into the offseason and prepare for another run in 2017.