The Batten University field hockey team (5-4) showed its fight until the final seconds Saturday, rallying twice in the fourth quarter before falling to McDaniel, 3-2, in double overtime.
Berkley Miller finished the afternoon with nine saves across nearly 80 minutes in goal. Katherine Druiett led the Marlins with three shots on goal and a goal, while Kellyn McCloud scored on her lone attempt. Meridan Leischner added three shots, including two on goal, as Batten put 10 of its 11 total shots on target.
After a scoreless opening quarter, McDaniel broke through at the 18:57 mark of the second quarter to take a 1-0 advantage. The Marlins continued to generate opportunities, putting three shots on goal during the second period, but entered halftime trailing by one.
Batten's persistence paid off just 39 seconds into the fourth quarter. Landry Meyer set up Katherine Druiett, who found the back of the cage to pull the Marlins even at 1-1.
McDaniel regained the advantage on a penalty stroke with 3:24 remaining in regulation, putting Batten in a 2-1 hole with little time remaining. The Marlins refused to go away and mounted one final push.
With just one second remaining in regulation, Batten found the equalizer. Meyer once again provided the setup, finding Kellyn McCloud for the game-tying goal at 59:59 to force overtime at 2-2. Meyer finished the contest with assists on both Batten goals.
The Marlins carried that momentum into the first overtime period and created several chances to end the game. Batten outshot McDaniel 4-2 during the opening overtime, with Meyer, Druiett and Meridan Leischner all putting attempts on goal. The Marlins also earned three penalty corners during the period, but were unable to find the game-winner.
McDaniel applied sustained pressure in the second overtime, but goalkeeper Berkley Miller and the Batten defense continued to grind. Miller made three saves during the period as the Marlins fought off a series of late opportunities before McDaniel scored the deciding goal with just four seconds remaining in double overtime.
