| VIDEO: OT is OK in TOC - McCarthy's goal lifts Oak Knoll past West Essex | ||
|
|
Oak Knoll didn't let the shock of allowing a goal with just seven seconds left in regulation sink them in the field hockey Tournament of Champions semifinal against West Essex. Instead, the Royals came up with the perfect answer. Ryan McCarthy scored on a fabulous reverse-stick shot four minutes into the first 7-on-7 overtime session to lift Oak Knoll past the Knights, 2-1. The win puts the Royals in the TOC final.
In this semifinal at Rider University, Oak Knoll struck first, on a Caroline Andretta goal late in the first half. It appeared that would be enough, but with just seconds remaining West Essex earned its 15th corner of the game. Stephanie Pezzuti took the feed and her shot took a slight deflection and found the cage. Oak Knoll goalie Colleen Conway made five saves, while Paige Innarella had six saves for West Essex. The Knights finish their season at 23-2. Oak Knoll is now 24-1 and will try to knock off mighty Eastern High School on Friday in the final. The South Jersey powerhouse has won 78 straight games and has the most prolific scorer in high school field hockey history, Austyn Cuneo. For sports video highlights of this Tournament of Champions field hockey semifinal, click play in the box at left. |










