Lynchburg, Va. -- The University of Lynchburg field hockey squad had sophomore Khanyisile Mzizi score the game-winning goal in overtime to clutch-up the win for the No. 13 Hornets over Centre on Sunday afternoon at Shellenberger Field.

The Hornets (9-2) earned their fifth consecutive victory of the season, though the visiting Colonels made Lynchburg work for it. The overtime win was the first for the field hockey team since Sept. 30, 2023, when the Hornets took down Shenandoah with a 2-1 triumph in sudden victory. Lynchburg has now wrapped up nonconference play for the season, finishing with a record of 7-2 in out-of-conference matchups.

Freshman Grace Peterson got the Hornets on the board first with her fourth goal in as many games. At the 9:06-mark, senior Olivia van Metre crossed a ball to Peterson, who finished it past the keeper to put the Lynchburg squad up 1-0. With 7:43 left in the first half, Centre's Claire Martin scored to knot the score at 1-1. The sides went into the halftime intermission all tied at one apiece.

Just 2:31 out of the halftime break, the Hornets were awarded their first penalty stroke of the season, which sophomore Tatum Humphries buried past the goalie. Lynchburg held its advantage until there was less than four minutes on the clock, when the Colonels were bestowed a penalty stroke of their own. Ashley Hamilton took the opportunity and capitalized, effectively evening the score just before the end of regulation.

Mzizi took command in the overtime period, slicing and dicing through the defense inside the circle. A minute and a half into the extra period, the Bulawayo, Zimbabwe native slotted it between the pipes and gave the Hornets the win.

The next outing for Lynchburg will be the field hockey team's Code Red game. The Hornets take on the Roanoke Maroons on Shellenberger Field on Wednesday, October 16 at 7 p.m.

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