SPARKILL, N.Y. – The Queens University of Charlotte field hockey team closed its inaugural season today in high fashion winning 3-2 over St. Thomas Aquinas College in a shootout. The Royals complete the 2016 campaign with a 9-7 record.
 
The Royals found themselves trailing early today as Danielle Heady of the Spartans found the back of the cage in the 10^th minute of action. Renee Smith soon responded for the Royals to tie the game at 1-1 after receiving a pass from Kayleigh Lawrence. However, St. Thomas Aquinas would have the final word in the first as Kaitlyn Gutenberger put her team ahead by one with a goal in the 21^st. The Spartans held on to their lead until the break.
 
Neither team could put the ball in the net in the second until Mazvita Mtisi scored an unassisted goal with just a few seconds left in regulation to take the game into overtime.
 
After two overtime periods and no score, the game headed into a shootout. Senior midfielder Meghan Smiga would be the one to step up and score in the shootout to lift the Royals past the Spartans in her final collegiate game.
 
Queens outshot St. Thomas Aquinas 22-14, putting 17 shots on goal. Mtisi led the Royals today with six shots, while Lawrence added five shots. Miranda Childers totaled six saves.