STOCKTON WINS THRILLER IN OVERTIME

Susie Balidemaj

Boxscore / Video

Richard Stockton (4-2), after being down by two goals in the first half, rebounded in the second half and won in thrilling fashion 3-2 in overtime over Gwynedd-Mercy (3-3). Susie Balidemaj (Hamilton/Hamilton East) scored on a rebound just 2:30 into the extra session for the game-winner.

The Griffins dominated the first half as they squeezed off 17 shots and scored twice. Casey Dellostretto on an assist by Erin Gorenflo gave the Cougars a 1-0 lead. With 14 minutes to play in the first half, Sarah Jackson scored on a breakaway to make it 2-0 at the break.

The Ospreys came back strong as Jenny Carpenter (Egg Harbor City/Absegami) scored after a scrum in front of the net to get Stockton to within one at 2-1 midway through the second half. Alicia Leadbeater (Franklinville/Delsea) completed the comeback by scoring on an assist from Balidemaj with just 1:23 remaining in regulation to send the game to extra time.

In the overtime period, Balidemaj took a penalty corner and fed it to Carpenter. Carpenter passed the ball to Leadbeater, whose blast was kicked out by Cougars goalie Kelly Kruk but the rebound went to Balidemaj who ended the contest.

Stockton goalie Liz Stankiewicz (Freehold Twp./Freehold Twp.) was spectacular in net as she made a career-high 16 saves, including 14 of them in the first half to help the Ospreys keep the game close. Stankiewicz picked up her fourth victory of the season. Kruk kicked out seven saves in taking the loss.