Canton’s Kaelyn Oliver (4) had the game-winning goal in double OT to lift the Warriors into the Class S semifinals. (Photo courtesy Bill Brewster)
STONINGTON, Nov. 12 – The Canton High field hockey team once again found overtime magic on the road. For the second straight game, the No. 12 seeded Warriors prevailed in overtime Thursday to advance in the Class S tournament.
On Tuesday, Canton send No. 5 North Branford home in the first overtime. On Thursday night under the lights, the Warriors sent No. 3 Stonington home with a 2-1 quarterfinal victory in double overtime.
The victory puts Canton (10-5-2) into the Class S semifinals next week against either defending champion Lewis Mills or top-seeded Thomaston (15-1).
The difference on this evening was Kaelyn Oliver, whose senior season got off to a late start due to an injury. Oliver scored with 1:47 left in the second OT to give Canton the victory. Alissa Peet had the assist on the goal.
Grace Giancola, who scored the game-winning goal in the 4-3 OT win against North Branford, gave the Warriors an early 1-0 lead in the game with 19:10 left in the first half off an assist from Oliver.
And for the second straight game, a late goal didn’t rattle the Warriors. Stonington (13-2-3) tied the game with 50.4 seconds left in regulation from Margit Burgress. On Tuesday, North Branford scored with 29 seconds left to send that game into overtime.
Goalie Natalie Nardello made 12 saves in net for the Warriors. Each team had eight penalty corner opportunities. The Warriors did outshot Stonington, 18-13.
It’s the first time for back-to-back OT wins in the tournament for the Warriors since 2008 when Canton won their tournament opener in four OT and their quarterfinal in overtime.
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