DOYLESTOWN (PA) – Amanda McKeegan scored her second goal of the game 64 seconds into overtime, during a man down situation, to lead Delaware Valley University to a thrilling 16-15, season-opening victory over visiting Keystone College.

For the third year in a row, head coach Ramona Walters and the Aggies got out to a 1-0 start to begin the season, while also capturing its first overtime victory in just their fourth year as a program. The Giants fell to 0-1.

In the second half, DelVal found itself down by four, 13-9, halfway through the stanza before it ripped off five unanswered goals over a 10:25 span to overcome the deficit and take a 14-13 lead. However, Keystone responded with two goals separated by 1:02, the last coming with 56 ticks left, to regain a one-goal lead. But, the Aggies controlled the ensuing draw and worked the ball to freshman Claire Gamache who streaked into the zone and dished a pass to Taylor Teliszewski who finished in tight to tie the game at 15 apiece and, ultimately, send the contest to overtime.

Before regulation expired, with 20 seconds left, DelVal was charged with a yellow card and was forced to play man-down for the remainder of regulation and into overtime until the two minute misconduct expired.

Despite being a man-down in the extra session, the Aggies maintained possession and eventually got the ball to McKeegan who pushed the play into the offensive zone where she was fouled in the attacking area and awarded a free position attempt. She charged toward the cage at the whistle, made a deke, and beat the keeper high to the stick side to send the DelVal sideline into a frenzy and secure the 16-15 victory.

The Aggies got on the board first in this game before Keystone scored three straight to take an early two-goal advantage. However, DelVal came back with five straight tallies, including a pair by Gamache, to go up, 6-3.

The Giants responded with three unanswered goals to close the half and make it a tie game after 30 minutes of play.

The two teams exchanged goals to start the second half with Sabrina Butler scoring twice for the Aggies, but it was Keystone that held a 10-8 lead with 19:00 remaining in regulation.

Tenaj Lael got one back for DelVal to make it 10-9, but the Giants scored the next three goals of the game to make it 13-9 and setup the Aggies comeback that started with Butler's fourth tally of the game with 14:18 still to play.

The next four DelVal goals came courtesy of senior Kara Imes and freshman Jaden Keefer who each potted two, with Imes assisting on one of Keefer's goals, and the Aggies took the one-goal lead at 14-13 before setting up the late-game dramatics.

Amanda Dietrich was stellar in goal for the home team as she made 12 saves and added three ground balls and a caused turnover. The offense was led by Butler's four goals and one assist for five points while McKeegan finished with two goals and two helpers for a four-point effort. DelVal's rookies stepped up in the first collegiate games, combining for seven points on the day including three apiece from Gamache and Keefer. Lael added one point on one goal.

Keystone's Savanna Robinson led the team with five points on four goals and one assists and Alex Smith followed with three goals and one helper. April Llewellyn (3 goals) and Emily Hawkins (2 goals, 1 assist) had three points each. In goal, Daphne Leenas made 16 saves despite taking the loss.
 
DelVal will be back in action on its home turf on Wednesday, February 28 as it welcomes Gwynedd Mercy University for a 4 p.m. start.