UTICA, NY- Sophomore Rylee Meelan (Clinton, NY/Clinton) netted a career-high three goals, but it was not enough as the Utica College field hockey team dropped a heartbreaker, 4-3, in overtime to visiting Kean University Sunday evening.
 
The Cougars were awarded a penalty corner just over two minutes into the extra frame.  Krista LaMaina sent a ball out to her sister, Shauna LaMaina at the top of the circle.  LaMaina wound up and fired a shot right as a Utica defender approached.  The ball deflected off the Utica stick, went up into the air over the head of Utica goalie Samantha Whitehouse (Greenwich, NY/Greenwich), and landed in the back of the net to secure the victory. 
 
Meelan opened the scoring for the Pioneers just over six minutes into the first half as she took a feed from junior Melissa Koch (Syracuse, NY/East Syracuse Minoa) off the corner and found the back of the net for her first of the year. 
 
Kean was able to battle back and score the equalizer in the 25^th minute as the LaMaina's teamed up for their first of three scores on the day to send the teams into halftime tied at one.
 
Meelan once against gave UC the lead at 36:13 as she redirected a pass from senior Rachael Scarmuzzino for her second goal of the day.  Scaramuzzino ran down the left side and placed a perfect centering feed in front of the keeper that Meelan was able to deflect into the cage.
 
Kean netted a pair of goals in the 42^nd and 62^nd minutes to take its first lead of the game, before Meelan was able to knot the score in the final six minutes of regulation.  Senior Tori Couture (Auburn, ME/Edward Little ) played in a service off the corner that went to Gianna Cavalier (Northport, NY/Commack ) on the right side of the circle.  Cavalier paused to drag the defenders over, before touching a pass to Meelan who fired a low shot just inside the left post to tie the game.
 
Utica had a chance to win the game as the Cougars were assessed a two-minute penalty just 1:04 into the extra frame.  UC threatened in the Kean defensive zone, but the Cougars were able to capitalize on a UC turnover and take the ball the length of the field, before setting up the winning play.
 
Whitehouse finished with seven saves on the day, while Kean's Erin Smith and Bailee Mullen combined for three saves in the win.  Kean outshot Utica 17-7 on the evening and dominated in penalty corners with a 15-4 margin. 
 
UC will remain home Wednesday as they welcome RPI for a non-conference contest.  Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m.