The Batten University field hockey team (7-10, 2-5 ODAC) earned a thrilling 1-0 overtime victory over Eastern Mennonite University (0-14, 0-7 ODAC) on Wednesday afternoon, as Landry Meyer delivered the game-winning goal in the 69th minute to lift the Marlins past the Royals. With the victory, Batten improved to 6-10 overall and 1-5 in Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) play.
Goalkeepers Berkley Miller and Bailey Myers combined for the fifth shut out of the season, Miller recorded the win in net as she played 38:01 minutes, while Myers played 30 minutes in net.
Meyer finished with a game-high eight shots, while McCloud, Settle, and Gillott each recorded two attempts. Leischner and Kite added one shot apiece as the Marlins placed nine of their 16 attempts on goal.
The Marlins controlled the offensive tempo throughout the contest, outshooting Eastern Mennonite 16-0 while holding an 8-1 advantage in penalty corners. Meyer led the offensive effort with eight shots, including six on goal, while Regan Wells provided the assist on the game-winning score.
Batten established its offensive presence early, recording four shots in the opening quarter. Meyer forced a save from Eastern Mennonite goalkeeper Teresa Green just under five minutes into the contest, while Kellyn McCloud, Kirsten Settle, and Natalie Gillott each added scoring opportunities. Despite the pressure, the two teams entered the second quarter scoreless.
The Marlins continued to create chances in the second period, generating four additional shots and three penalty corners. Meyer and Lauren Kite each tested Green with shots on goal, but the Royals' defense kept Batten off the scoreboard heading into halftime.
Following the break, Batten maintained its defensive control, preventing Eastern Mennonite from registering a shot in the third quarter. Settle recorded an early opportunity that required another save from Green, while Meyer added a shot late in the period.
The Marlins increased their offensive pressure in the fourth quarter, producing four shots, including three on goal. Meyer registered back-to-back attempts in the 50th minute before Meridan Leischner forced another save less than two minutes later. However, the Royals held firm, sending the contest into overtime tied at 0-0.
Batten continued its offensive push in the extra period, earning three penalty corners. After Meyer forced another save with 2:17 remaining in overtime, the Marlins quickly generated another penalty corner. Just 10 seconds later, Meyer found the back of the cage off an assist from Wells at the 68:01 mark, securing the 1-0 victory.
Defensively, Batten delivered a complete team effort, holding Eastern Mennonite without a shot for the entire contest.
