STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. (November 3, 2023) – It was worth the wait on Friday afternoon.
 
The third seeded Sacred Heart University field hockey team and second seeded Saint Francis played through regulation in their Northeast Conference semifinal at Wagner Field Hockey Complex with very few chances, as the two combined for just four shots on goal.
 
The first half went scoreless. Then the second half went scoreless.
 
The first overtime went scoreless. But NOT the second.
 
Isabelle Chamberlain (North Yorkshire, United Kingdom) converted a penalty stroke in the final minute of the second session of extra time, to send the Pioneers through to their first conference final in nearly two decades, with a 1-0 (2 OT) win.
 
SHU (8-10) will face fourth seeded Wagner for the NEC title – and an automatic berth to the NCAA Championship – on Sunday at noon, at Wagner. Sacred Heart last played for the NEC title in 2005, when they defeated Rider, 1-0, to claim the crown.
 
Earlier in the day, the two teams played a largely uneventful regulation. Saint Francis (10-8) controlled large runs of the play, to the tune of an 11-3 advantage in shot attempts through 60 minutes, which included a 3-1 edge in shots on goal, while each team attempted two corners in regulation.
 
SHU's best chance in regulation time came off a penalty corner in the dying seconds of the third quarter. Madelyn Kidd (Hillsborough, N.J.) set up Emma Brayford (Breiningsville, Pa.) for a drive from the left side. The latter made solid contact, but her shot whistled just wide of the SFU cage, outside the left post.
 
The overtimes were a more statistically even affair, with action inside both circles in both periods, capped by Chamberlain's game-winner in the 80^th minute. It was her team-leading ninth goal, and fourth game-winner, of the campaign.
 
Samantha Maresca (Mamaroneck, N.Y.) finished with five saves, including two in overtime, to post her third shutout of the season and pick up the win (7-9). Amber Bryan (9-6) was beaten on just the penalty stroke and made three saves in defeat for Saint Francis.