Rowan University field hockey defeated The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) in overtime 1-0 on Tuesday with 47 seconds left.

Forward Kristiina Castagnola had the game winning goal as the overtime clock ticked.

“When I had the moment to take the free hit I was like, ‘I’m just gonna go, because we have 40 seconds left. I don’t want to go to a second overtime, I’m exhausted’,” Castagnola said. “I was like, ‘I just need to rip it.’ I heard the back of the net and it was an unreal feeling.”

Castagnola had a voided goal in the final seconds of the fourth quarter in regulation. In Rowan field hockey fashion, they did not take their foot off of the gas and in the extra time Castagnola kept attacking until the ball found the way in.

“We kind of caught defense on their heels a bit when she started because she took it so quick, and she was able to get into the circle and get a shot off,” Head Coach Michelle Andre said.

Coach Andre was happy with the team’s efforts in overtime even though there were nerves.

“It’s always going to be that energy, like, ‘What’s going to happen?’,” Coach Andre said. “Seven verse seven hockey– it’s fast. It’s intense. But I felt good about our seven verse seven unit.”

Goalie Abby Hainsworth saved two shots and recorded her second shutout in a row behind another strong outing from the defense.

“They only entered our defensive zone area a few times,” Coach Andre said. “Our defense handled the breakdown really, really well. They were organized, they were communicating.”

Rowan have won five games in a row and have improved to 7-2 overall and 2-0 in the New Jersey Athletic Conference [NJAC]. Castagnola believes streaks like this are important for the team’s mentality.

“It just builds confidence for everybody and it keeps us going on this great feeling towards the weekend,” Castagnola said.

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