Gabriel's Hat Trick Sends Robert Morris to Overtime Win

Box Score MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. - The Robert Morris University field hockey team used a hat trick from Julie Gabriel (Kraainem, Belgium / Lycee Emil Jacqmain) to knock off Bellarmine Tuesday afternoon in overtime, 3-2.

The Colonials (3-9, 0-1) fell behind at the 16:49 mark of the first half when Rachael McAllister scored back door when a shot by Carrie Walker slipped back Robert Morris goalkeeper Stephanie Seeley Louisville, Ky. / Ballard). It appeared Robert Morris would take the one goal deficit into half until Gabriel found the net following a penalty corner. Gabriel started the play with a ball in from the corner, the pass found Hayley Botha (Johannesburg, South Africa / St. Mary's) near the top of the arc. Botha then noticed Gabriel was unmarked following the corner fired a shot wide which Gabriel tapped into the net with just 19 seconds remaining in the half.

Bellarmine retook the lead in the early in the second half with a Rachael Walz goal at the 49:36 mark. Robert Morris responded with the second goal of the afternoon from Gabriel. This time it was Ally McGuire (Duncannon, Pa. / Susquenita), who launched an attempt through the Knights (11-2, 0-0) defense and found the Gabriel on the back post.

After regulation ended with score knotted at two, Seeley made a pair of game saving saves in overtime to keep hope alive for the Colonials. The Colonials quickly responded following the save with a long run down the field and earning a penalty corner. After a few solid moves by Chantele Crow (Dauphin, Pa. / Central Dauphin), the junior fired a shot on Samantha Biedron, the Knight goalkeeper. Biedron slowed the shot but it slipped under her pads and it was Gabriel on the back post to send it in and give Robert Morris the win.

Robert Morris returns to action at 4:00 p.m. Friday when the Colonials travel to Loudonville, N.Y. to take on Siena in a Northeast Conference clash.

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