WATERVILLE, Maine – Rachel Preusser (Craryville, N.Y.) scored with less than 10 minutes less to force overtime, and potted the game winner just two minutes into the extra stanza as Castleton State College downed Thomas College 3-2 in North Atlantic Conference (NAC) field hockey action Sunday afternoon.

Trailing 2-0 as the second half dwindled, Preusser set up Blake Wardwell (Bridgewater, Vt.) with just over 15 minutes remaining in regulation to cut the lead in half. Then, just five minutes later it was Preusser who potted the equalizer off a Kealy Chipman (Bellows Falls, Vt.) helper. Castleton was unable to find the back of the cage for the remainder of the second half as Thomas goalie Sofia Sourgiadakis (Littleton, N.H.) stopped 11 shots in the second half.

In overtime, however it was once again Preusser, this time converting a Brynn Cayia (Berlin, Vt.) assist into her team-leading 16th goal of the season.

Things very easily could have turned out entirely different for the Spartans, as Thomas senior Ali Kriegel (Winslow, Maine) struck for her 12th goal at the 29:10 mark and the Terriers carried the margin into halftime.

Less than eight minutes into the second frame Kriegel once again scored, giving the Terriers the 2-0 advantage.

The Spartans controlled play throughout the contest, but trailed most day thanks to 20 saves by Sourgiadakis.

Castleton held distinct advantages in shots (37-12) and penalty corners (18-5).

With the win Castleton remains unbeaten in conference play at 6-0, while upping its overall mark to 8-7. Castleton will put its unblemished mark on the line Wednesday when the Spartans travel to Simmons for a 7 pm start.