Worcester, Mass. – Mount Holyoke freshman Stephanie Slysz (Hatfield, Mass.) scored the game-winning goal in the 82nd minute to lift visiting Mount Holyoke College to a thrilling 3-2 overtime win over Clark University in New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) field hockey action on Saturday afternoon.

The win for the Lyons is their fourth straight and pushes their overall record to 9-5, while upping their NEWMAC ledger to 4-3, and assuring themselves of a spot in the upcoming postseason conference tournament.

Clark meanwhile, slips to 9-6 overall and 2-5 in league play - a full game behind Wellesley for the final playoff spot. The winner of their meeting next Saturday will earn the final spot in the tournament.

Jess Fajardo (Amherst, Mass.) had a pair of first half goals for Mount Holyoke about seven minutes apart with the first coming at the 22:23 mark.

After her second score, which was setup by Tricia Chase (Feeding Hills, Mass.) on a penalty corner, Clark finally responded when Meghan Lennon (Charlton, Mass.) found Talia Fish (Philadelphia, Pa.) to cut the lead in half heading into the halftime.

The Cougars got the equalizer midway through the second stanza when Katherine Rowe (Fort Myer, Va.) fed Fish for her 11th goal of the season at 54:15.

Both teams had excellent chances in the overtime session. Stephanie Pascual (Lawrence, Mass.) had her shot from straight on turned back by Clark keeper Kate McGrath (Wilmington, Mass.) and the Cougars' chance came when Mount Holyoke netminder Katie Gibson (Charlotte, N.C.) sent back Clark shots in front of the net.

Slysz, who also had an assist in the game, scored the golden goal on a breakaway, firing a low shot that screamed past McGrath, giving Mount Holyoke their fifth straight victory over the Cougars.

Clark will visit Wheelock College on Thursday for a non-conference matchup with the Wildcats before playing what essentially amounts to a playoff game on Saturday at home against the Blue. The contest also marks the final home game for Cougar seniors Rowe and Kate Condon (Wading River, N.Y.).

The Lyons also play a non-conference game next week when they visit UMass-Dartmouth on Wednesday before hosting Springfield on Saturday.