ALLENTOWN, Pa. – Senior Adriana Hinkle (Palmerton, Pa./Homeschooled (played for Lehighton)) found the back of the cage just 1:23 into the overtime period to send the Cedar Crest College field hockey team to a 2-1 victory over Wilson College in the United East Conference Championship Tournament Semifinals on Wednesday night at the FalconPlex. With the win, the Falcons make the inaugural United East Conference Finals and first championship game appearance since 2021.

"The coaches and the team want to thank all those who came out to support us on this historic evening, playing our first-ever home postseason field hockey game at Cedar Crest," said Head Coach Joan Johnson.

After a scoreless first quarter, Cedar Crest broke through in the 23^rd minute when first-year Sydney Jeker (Sciota, Pa./Pleasant Valley) crossed the ball in front of the cage, which found its way to Hinkle. The ball bounced off a Wilson defender but found its way to first-year Carly Piciullo (Brick, N.J./Brick Memorial) who scored from her knees to put the Falcons ahead 1-0 on what marked her first career goal. Jeker and Hinkle picked up assists on the goal.

The Phoenix registered the equalizer in the third quarter. Sophomore Paige Ney (Biglerville, Pa.) tipped in a shot following a penalty corner in the 38^th minute to make it 1-1. First-year Lenoree Hoke (Shippensburg, Pa.) was credited with the helper on the tally.

The teams played a scoreless fourth quarter, sending the contest to overtime.

Just moments in the overtime period, Hinkle took advantage of a Wilson misplay on a restart and took the ball herself to the cage. She turned around to shield the ball from four Phoenix defenders and then connected on a shot that found its way past Wilson senior goalkeeper Allyson Shindler (Manchester, Pa.) for the game-winner.

Cedar Crest held an 8-7 edge in shots and the teams split 10 penalty corners, 5-5.

First-year Kadee Schrader (Northampton, Pa./Northampton Area) made six saves in the triumph for the Falcons while Schindler converted a pair of stops for the Phoenix.

"Congrats once again to our stellar defense and to Adriana on the gorgeous game-winning overtime goal," Johnson continued. "We will be working hard to prepare for Saturday's conference finals."

Cedar Crest (6-12 overall) advances to the United East Conference Tournament Finals, where it will travel to top-seeded Keystone College on Saturday, November 4 for a 1:00 p.m. start. The Giants won its respective semifinal over Lancaster Bible College, 10-0 on Wednesday night.   

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