Lauren Keny

Denison rallied from a two goal deficit by scoring a pair of goals in the second half but after two scoreless overtime periods Kenyon College came out on top, winning the strokeoff competition 2-1 in two rounds.

Kenyon got out to an early 2-0 lead thanks to a pair of goals by Maggie Gilligan.  About two minutes into the second half the Big Red got on the scoreboard when Caroline Kasper (Richmond, Va./St. Catherine's) found Lauren Keny (Bexley, Ohio/Columbus School for Girls) in front of the goal for her second score of the season.  After the goal DU became the aggressor on offense and that pressure would pay off when first-year Kelly Whipple scored off a pass from Caitlin Gilman (Birmingham, Mich./Detroit Country Day) out of a penalty corner, tying the game at 2-2 with 17 minutes to play.

The match would remain tied through the 70 minutes of regulation and the 30 minutes of sudden-victory overtime.  During the 6-on-6 overtime session Kenyon controlled the ball in their offensive third, outshooting the Big Red 10-0.  Denison's defense and the play of rookie goalie Kristie Hart (Blacklick, Ohio/Columbus Academy) would send the match into the decisive strokeoff competition.

This marked the second straight year that a Denison and Kenyon field hockey match would be decided by strokes.  Last year the Big Red came out on top when Emily Marshall (Louisville, Ky./duPont Manual) and Brittany Pauquette's goals sent DU to a 2-1 victory.

This year it would take two rounds of strokes but the result would end up in the Ladies' favor, 2-1 thanks to goals by Joy Leaman and Hannah McConnell. 

Hart played 68 minutes in goal and posted nine saves in relief of starter Kait Fiore (Milburn, N.J./Milburn) who allowed two goals and posted three saves in 32 minutes of action.  Kenyon starter Karen Thompson notched a pair of saves while playing all 100 minutes.

Denison was outshot 19-7 and out-cornered 9-4.  They will return to action on Friday (Oct. 3) with a non-conference opponent in Washington & Jefferson at Deeds Field-Piper Stadium at 6 p.m.