Lynchburg, Va. -- Sophomore Khanyisile Mzizi slotted in the game-winning golden goal in overtime and the University of Lynchburg field hockey team took down Susquehanna in the first round of the NCAA tournament on Wednesday afternoon at Shellenberger Field.

With today's victory, the Hornets keep dancing and advance to the second round of the NCAA tournament, where they are slated to play Salisbury in Salisbury, Md. at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 16. This marks the second straight year and fourth occasion in the last 10 years that Lynchburg has advanced past the first round of the NCAA tournament.

Susquehanna got on the board first at the 17:18-mark as Emma Campitelli found Taylor Rothermel in front of the cage, who slid it past the keeper to take the advantage for the Riverhawks. There were just six shots combined between the two sides in the first 30 minutes of action for what turned out to be a defensive battle. Lynchburg was held to just two shots in the first half and Susquehanna fired off four shots in the same time frame.

Out of the halftime intermission, the Hornets stepped up the protection and did not allow a single shot from the Riverhawks for the remainder of regulation. With 7:34 to go in the fourth period, junior Megan Stiffler sent a long ball to senior Madison Mark in a dangerous spot ahead of the goal frame. Mark controlled it and struck it into the back of the net to equalize the score. 

Just over five minutes into the overtime period, junior Danielle Coon injected a penalty corner to Mzizi. The Zimbabwe native handled the rock, made a move past her defender, and fired it between the pipes to give the Hornets the electrifying victory.

Next up, Lynchburg travels to Salisbury for the NCAA DIII round of 16. Last time the Hornets squared up against the Seagulls was in the 2021 NCAA tournament first round, where Salisbury took the contest in overtime, 3-2. Lynchburg looks to repeat its performance from last season by claiming victory in the second round for a second consecutive season.

Tickets, live stats and live stream links will be available soon on the field hockey schedule page on lynchburgsports.com

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