Canton erases 3-goal deficit to force OT, but Cougars prevail, 5-4

The Warriors celebrate after Grace Giancola’s 11th goal in six games tied Monday’s game at 4-4. The Warriors eventually lost to Haddam-Killingworth, 5-4 in OT. (Photo courtesy Bill Brewster)

HADDAM, Sept. 26 – The Canton High girls field hockey erased a three-goal deficit to force overtime but host Haddam-Killingworth was able to come up with the game-winning goal to beat the Warriors, 5-4 in a non-league contest on Monday.

Canton’s Grace Giancola scored her second goal of the game with 11:22 left in regulation to tie the game at 4-4. Canton (2-4) had trailed by three goals after H-K’s Isabella Cosenza gave the Cougars a 4-1 lead with 25:31 left in the game.

But the Warriors rallied with the three consecutive goals. Ali Bahre scored off an Abby Charron assist less than two minutes after Cosenza’s goal to cut the lead to two goals, 4-2. Elizabeth Raynor scored with 18:09 left in the game to trim the Cougar lead to one goal.

Haddam-Killingworth (6-1) led 2-0 early in the first half before Giancola scored with 7:08 left in the first half off a Charron assist to cut the lead to 2-1. Giancola has scored a team-high 11 goals in six games. Raynor has four goals.

Canton’s Elizabeth Raynor had a goal in Monday’s loss to the Cougars. (Photo courtesy Bill Brewster)

In overtime, the Cougars won the game on Hannah Theriault’s goal off an Isabella Cosenza assist with 53 seconds gone in the extra session.

Canton goalie Jessica Szczepanski made nine saves in net for the Warriors. The two teams will play the second game in the home-and-home series in Canton on Oct. 24.

A week ago, Canton won two of three games. The Warriors beat Suffield, 4-1, behind four goals from Giancola and blanked Stafford, 6-0 with three goals from Giancola and individual goals from Raynor, Emily Gabrielin and Abby Charron. Hall-West Hartford dominated Canton with a 6-2 decision.

The Warriors host Somers on Thursday at 3:45 p.m. on the turf field in Canton.

Haddam-Killingworth 5, Canton 4, OT
At Haddam
Canton (2-4)                       1  3  0 — 4
H-Killingworth (6-1)             2  2  1 – 5
Goals: Celia Payfa (H), Brittany Anderson (H), Isabella Cosenza (H) 2, Hannah Theriault (H); Grace Giancola (C) 2, Abby Charron (C), Elizabeth Raynor (C); Assists: Charron (C) 2, Brinley Anderson (H), Cosenza (H); Saves: Abbie Barnoli (H) 7, Jessica Sczepanski (C) 9; Penalty corners: HK, 10-4; Shots on goal: HK 14-10