YORK, PA – The eighth ranked York College field hockey squad survived an upset effort from Widener University, 1-0 in overtime, in MAC Commonwealth play on Saturday.
The Spartans had to negotiate a strong defensive minded effort by the Pride as York remains perfect in conference play. The win was the fifth straight for the Spartans.
The Spartans improve to 13-2 overall and 5-0 in conference play while the Pride fall to 6-9 overall and 2-3 in the league.
 
How It Happened
• The first quarter was a battle in the midfield as neither team had any negligible offensive momentum. The Spartans did manage a pair of penalty corners and two shots but neither attempt was very dangerous.
• The Spartans were far more assertive in the second quarter as most of the 15-minute period was spent in the Widener defensive end of the field. York had five penalty corners and eight shots as they forced Widener goalie Abby Blake to work to maintain the scoreless tie. Blake made five saves in the quarter for the Pride.
• The third quarter was very similar to the first quarter as there was minimal offensive opportunities as the Pride was content to sit back and defend. The Spartan had two shots with Blake making one save.
• The Spartans continued their pressure in the fourth quarter. The Spartans fired off four shots but all four were off target as the squad headed to an extra period.
• York got the first shot in overtime as Maggie Spadafora had a chance on the right wing that Blake saved to keep the game going. Blake wouldn't be as fortunate a second time as Spadafora collected a loose ball in the circle and drove it home for the game-winner. The goal was Spadafora's third of the year while the game-winner was her first of the campaign.
• The Spartans out-shot the Pride 18-0 in total shots and 10-0 in shots on goal. The Spartans also held a 10-0 margin in penalty corners. Blake made nine saves in goal for the Pride.
 
Spartan Notes
The Spartans improve to 3-1 all-time against the Pride as York has won two straight in the series … three of the four all-time meetings between the two squads have been decided by one goal while the fourth was a 2-0 win by York … the Spartans held a second opponent to no shots in a game as they did that earlier in the year against Hood … the Spartans have surrendered just one goal, 14 total shots, and four shots on goal in their last five games … York has out-shot their last five opponents 115-14 … the game-winning goal for Maggie Spadafora was her 14^th career goal and her fourth game winner for the Green and White.
 
Up Next
The Spartans head to Albright College on Wednesday afternoon for another MAC Commonwealth contest against the Lions. The match is slated for a 4:30 pm start.