FINAL SCORE (OT): Michigan State 4, Vermont 3
EAST LANSING, Mich. – University of Vermont field hockey boasted a 3-0 halftime lead over Michigan State, but the Spartans responded with four unanswered goals as UVM fell in overtime by a 4-3 score at Ralph Young Field on Sunday.
 
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The setback drops the Catamounts to an even 2-2 on the season, while Michigan State improves to 3-2.
 
Lena Benwood finished the day with 15 saves, her most since turning aside 17 shots against New Hampshire on Oct. 9, 2015. That line also brings the senior to 388 saves in her career as a Catamount, ranking ninth in program history and surpassing former UVM goalkeeper Pat Donze (1979-81), who amassed 382 stops with the Green and Gold.
 
For Michigan State, Mairi Fletcher made one save after entering in relief of Katie Miller (2 saves) midway through the first half.
 
For the second time in as many games, Vermont found its way to the scoreboard early. In the seventh minute Landon Warren took a feed from Carla Godsman and buried a shot for her fourth goal of 2017.
 
Later in the half, Godsman logged another assist, this time setting up sophomore Rebekah Silver's first collegiate goal. The tally in the 21st minute came immediately after Godsman put an attempt on cage, but she was turned aside by Miller.
 
In the 28th minute Vermont extended its lead to 3-0 over the Spartans. Following a penalty corner drawn by UVM, Godsman signed her name in the box score's other scoring column–picking up her first goal of the season with Lauren Tucker being credited an assist.
 
The tables turned coming out of halftime, however. Kendal Anderson (37th minute) and Meredith Ross (54th minute) brought Michigan State back within one before Simone Vagnoni netted the equalizer in the 63rd minute. In that stretch Pleun Haantjes, Rachel Phillips and Warren each had chances to add to the Catamounts' lead, but none could solve Fletcher.
 
As the match moved to overtime Benwood was tested almost immediately and made two quick saves. Vermont drew a penalty corner in the 85th minute, but a shot by Phillips was blocked. Less than 30 seconds later, Michigan State's Sophie Macadre scored to give the Spartans the sudden-death victory.
 
Warren's first half goal was the 21st of her career and moved her point total to 43. She needs one more goal to tie Amy Croke (1980-83) for 10th in program history.
 
UVM is back on its home pitch next Saturday (Sept. 9) for a 1 p.m. match with Cornell.