EVANSTON, Ill. - The Maine field hockey program fell to the No. 23 Kent State Golden Flashes on Saturday afternoon, a 4-3 defeat in double overtime.

Maine has now gone five for five in overtime games so far this fall, but have posted a 1-4 record through the first stages of an exceptionally tough schedule to start the season.

The Black Bears were on the scoreboard early with a goal from Brooke Sulinski in the first quarter. After obtaining a short corner the Bears were quick to capitalize, as Sulinski netted a reserve-side-tip over the goalie, and Poppy Lambert recorded the assist with a perfectly placed sweep. The Black Bears held the lead, with the defense fending off the attack until the third quarter when Kent State scored the equalizer and the go-ahead goal in short order to take the lead. However, Maine answered back with the second goal of the season for Sydney Meader off a Tereza Holubcova assist through the gap in the Kent State backline. Meader received the ball and beat the goalie one-on-one to tie the game.

Later in the third quarter, Kent State found the back of the net again to take the 3-2 lead.

The one goal lead lasted throughout the fourth quarter until Brooke Sulinksi scored her second goal of the day off an offensive break, as Tereza Holubcova and Julia Ross connected through the midfield and sent a ball past every defender to a waiting Sulinksi. The Old Town product's fourth goal of the season leads the team. Neither team could find the gamewinner by the end of regulation, sending the game to overtime and the Black Bears to their fifth straight extra time contest. 

The first period of overtime was a defensive battle, as both teams recorded multiple shots on goal but strong disciplined defense held up for both sides. Mia Borley kept the Bears in the game as she made multiple clutch saves to bring the game to the second period of overtime. After a hard-fought battle to the very end, Kent State capitalized on a broken play to find the back of the cage and take the 4-3 win. 

The Black Bears drop to 1-4 after their fifth straight overtime game and third against a ranked opponent. The Bears have more business in Chi-Town to take care of, as they'll be back on Sunday at 1:00 EST  against the hosting squad from No. 5 Northwestern for the last game of their Midwest road trip. 

The game will be availble on Big Ten Network Plus for viewing and live stats will be provided by Northwestern.

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