CHARLOTTE, NC — The visiting Bellarmine University field hockey team scored with 11 seconds left in regulation to send Saturday's match with Queens Charlotte into overtime, but the Royals managed to deliver a "golden goal" in the extra frame in securing a 5-4 win over the Knights.

On her birthday, sophomore forward Mandi Isom collected two goals for Bellarmine (5-3). Freshman Cassidy Sweeney added a goal and an assist against Queens (5-1), sophomore midfielder Jillian Fazio notched a goal and junior midfielder Merit Harris chipped in an assist.

As the final scored indicated, there were plenty of offensive fireworks, and that was true of the final three minutes of regulation. In the 68th minute, Queens took a 4-3 lead on a goal by Jill Sherman. Not to be deterred, the Knights were awarded a penalty corner inside the final minute, and Isom scored her second goal of the match and team-best fifth of the season off a Harris assist to tie the contest with 11 seconds remaining.

Queens ended the match in the third minute of overtime. Mazvita Mtisi completed a hat trick by scoring a "golden goal" and boosted her season total to five. She scored the Royals' second and third goals as well.

Bellarmine rallied to tie Queens on three separate occasions in the match. The Royals took a 1-0 lead in the eighth minute before Isom netted her first goal off an assist from Sweeney in the 20th minute. Queens regained an advantage in the 24th minute, but Sweeney responded with her first collegiate goal a short time later to knot the contest at 2.

Bellarmine took its only lead in the 30th minute as Fazio sank a penalty stroke in registering her third goal of the season. Mtisi deadlocked the match at 3 by scoring in the 32nd minute.

The scoring quieted down in the second half until Queens had a go-ahead goal and Bellarmine answered, all inside the final three minutes of regulation. The Royals finished with an 18-14 advantage in shots, including 13-11 on frame. Freshman goalkeeper Breanna McWhorter entered for the Knights after halftime and recorded four saves. Senior defender Sara Wilder supplied two defensive saves.

"Our team showed a lot of character today," Bellarmine Coach Mark Blankenbaker said. "They came from behind three times. That is not easy in any sporting event. I'm proud of our effort, and I think even with the loss we took a positive step forward. Bre McWhorter got her first extensive playing time and was outstanding in the cage. Mandi Isom was outstanding on her birthday. Cassidy Sweeney finally got her first career goal and had an assist. Queens was very fast on a quick playing surface. It took our defense a while to get the feel of the surface; they played very well in the second half. We will refocus for tomorrow's game against Limestone."

That match at Limestone will take place at noon (ET) Sunday.

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