Suffolk News-Herald

As her Lakeland field hockey team lined up for sudden-death overtime Friday afternoon against Granby in the second round of the Suffolk Invitational Field Hockey tournament at Nansemond River, Katelyn Smither couldn’t help but feel a little frustrated. She’d knocked in the only goal for Lakeland in a 1-1 tie, but the Lady Cavaliers had outshot the Lady Comets 16-1, and still not managed to score for the final 57 minutes, including Smither’s misfire on a penalty shot.

&uot;It was a mental thing for me,&uot; she said. &uot;This team is really good at pumping people up when they’re down, and they did that to me. We’d had our opportunities, but we didn’t capitalize.&uot;

Not until the extra period. Smither passed to Ashley McCord, who passed back. The two went down the center of the field, passing back and forth until they found themselves in a scrum in front of the Granby goal. Nicole Debien came in from the left, and slipped the ball in for the win, 28 seconds into overtime. Nansemond River wasn’t as lucky, as they were outshot 14-1 in a 3-1 loss to Maury. Megan Belch had the only shot and score for the Lady Warriors. The tournament end today, as each team will play twice. Lakeland plays Churchland at 10 a.m. and River at 11:30 against Great Bridge. Later games will be determined.