Worcester, MA --- Freshman Libbi Richardson (Uxbridge, MA) made her first career goal a memorable one as she tallied a marker 9:57 into the first overtime to propel WPI to a dramatic 2-1 non-conference victory over visiting Fitchburg State in the field hockey season-opener for both schools on Thursday afternoon. 

The win is the seventh straight for the Engineers in season-opening contests and third consecutive victory over Fitchburg State.  

After a scoreless first half, Fitchburg State dented the scoreboard with just under 13 minutes left in regulation when Mari Roma (Foxboro, MA) knocked home a loose ball from the right side at 57:21. 

WPI answered right back just over two minutes later following a perfectly executed penalty corner.  Danielle Antonellis (Duxbury, MA) knotted the score at 1-1 at 59:43 when she buried home a shot after an insertion by Maggie Wigley (Bridgewater, MA) and a stick stop from Paige Hanson (East Hartford, CT). 

Fitchburg would have the better of the action in the final 10 minutes, taking three of the final four shots of regulation but WPI's Liz Dufresne (Worcester, MA) recorded a pair of saves to force overtime. 

Overtime saw frantic play from both sides.  The Falcons couldn't convert the session's only penalty corner and moments later Wiggly found Richardson down the right side to set up the thrilling game-winning goal. 

Dufresne registered 10 saves in net en route to picking the victory for the Engineers.  Taylor Begin (Haverhill, MA) and Rachel Mays (Somerset, MA) split time in goal for FSU.  Begin made four stops during the first half while Mays was credited with a save during the second stanza and overtime. 

WPI closes out its brief season-opening two-game home stand on Saturday as its hosts Lasell at 1pm.  Fitchburg State opens up its 2011 home slate the same day at noon vs. Anna Maria.