Camille Williams calmly knocked home the game-winner 8:02 into overtime. (Photo by Wayne Gehman)

Royals snag first win in overtime of ODAC opener

EMU’s field hockey women came up big when they needed to, earning their first win in the first overtime of their first conference game of the season.  Junior Camille Williams (Media, Pa./Delaware County Christian) knocked home the game-winner 8:02 into OT, also notching her first goal of the year.

After playing well but losing all seven of their season-opening non-conference games, the Royals took on Washington and Lee Wednesday night in just their second home contest of 2013. Less than five minutes in, Jenessa Derstine (Harleysville, Pa./Christopher Dock) scored a goal to give the women a 1-0 advantage.

The Generals settled down and actually out-shot EMU in the opening frame, but couldn’t dent the cage.  Finally in the 60th minute W&L equalized to make it 1-1.

Each team had great chances to get ahead in the final 10 minutes of regulation, but missed opportunities and great saves sent the game into extra time.

Playing a man up after a Washington and Lee yellow card, the Royals struck. Derstine fired a shot after a penalty corner, and the Generals’ goalie made a great save. Knowing she couldn’t hold the ball without drawing a penalty, the goalie pushed the ball out, but Williams was right there for a point-blank shot into the corner.

Both teams had 14 shots in the game, but Eastern Mennonite was much more efficient, putting 12 shots on goal compared to seven for the W&L. Mary Beth Danaher (Matoaca, Va./Matoaca) made six saves in between the pipes.

Derstine and Melissa Cox (Mountville, Pa./Hempfield) each had four shots on goal.

The overtime win was EMU’s first OT game since a victory over Bridgewater in the ODAC Quarterfinals in 2011.

Now 1-7 on the season and 1-0 in ODAC play, the Royals step back out of the league to host St. Mary’s (Md.) on Saturday. Game time in Harrisonburg is 2 p.m.