WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – For the second time in as many seasons a late goal gave Stanford a win over Monmouth to claim the America East Field Hockey Championship.
In an instant classic, Sarah Johnson’s double-overtime goal on a penalty corner gave the Cardinal a 3-2 victory and fourth title in five seasons. Johnson, who also scored the game-winner in 2019, put in a perfect pass from Corinne Zanolli after inserting the corner. The 19th-ranked team in the country will play Miami (OH) in the first round of the NCAA Championship Friday, April 30 at 12 p.m.
Offensive Player of the Year Corinne Zanolli opened the scoring in the sixth minute sneaking the ball past Monmouth keeper Kate O’Hogan. Monmouth evened the score less than a minute later when Annick van Lange scored her second goal of the championship. Stanford led 2-1 after the first 15 minutes as Zanolli potted her second penalty stroke of the tournament.
Both teams were held scoreless for the next two quarters until Colleen Craven evened the score for the Hawks in the 53rd minute, deflecting a ball sent into the circle by Ireen Frenken. The Cardinal (10-2) had three penalty corner attempts in the second overtime with the final one proving to be the difference.
Behind three total goals in the championship and an assist on the title-winning tally, Zanolli was named Most Outstanding Player. Johnson, Fenella Scutt and Megan Frost joined their teammate on the All-Championship Team. O’Hogan, van Lange and Frenken represented Monmouth while Maine’s Chloe Walton and Poppy Lambert and UMass Lowell’s Clara Defourt and Jenna Berger rounded out the squad.
Stanford junior Isabelle Pilson earned the conference’s Elite 18 award by holding the highest GPA among student-athletes participating in the championship game. Pilson holds a 4.11 GPA in Environmental Systems Engineering.
For championship box scores, highlights and recaps as well as tournament history visit #AEFH Championship Central.
About America East: The America East provides its member schools and their athletic programs a platform upon which student-athletes can achieve both collegiate and life success through the promotion and nurturing of athletic excellence, academic achievement and leadership, on and off the field.
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