(Allentown, Pa.) – The Dickinson field hockey team traveled to Muhlenberg for the first round of the Centennial Conference playoffs on Wednesday night. The teams played scoreless through regulation to set the stage for a thrilling overtime finish by senior Caroline Karwel (Fairfax Station, Va./South County Secondary), as the Red Devils advance to the semifinals in Lancaster.

Karwel drove around the right side and slipped a shot inside the far post with 5:26 to play in overtime to give Dickinson the win and a trip to face #4-ranked Franklin & Marshall in Saturday's semifinal match-up.

Both teams looked to go on the offensive, right from the start. They traded penalty corners but each came up empty.

The Red Devils made a strong push at the six minute mark, but the Mule defense was able to hold. Dickinson had another chance a minute later with sophomore goaltender Emily Rosenthal kicking the ball away.

The Mules had a great look on the back post, countering with a fast-break, but the shot went wide of the cage. Both teams ended the half in a flurry, trying to put a goal on the board before halftime. The defenses held, keeping the game scoreless at the break.

A great lead pass put first-year Chelsea Kramer (New Vernon, N.J./Morristown-Beard) ahead of the field. Rosenthal came out to make a huge save. The rebound went off the shin of a Muhlenberg defender for a penalty corner, but the Mules were able to stall the attack once again.

Dickinson forced a trio of corners and forced another big save from Rosenthal, off a shot from Merritt Davis (Baltimore, Md./Garrison Forest) as they continued to apply pressure on the offensive end.

Rachel Strow returned from a long hiatus and almost found the net at the 11 minute mark, but her shot went just wide of the cage. Laura Holdman sent a shot just wide, on a corner with six minutes remaining.

Muhlenberg broke through for a strong chance on a through ball, but a great take-away by Davis prevented the danger. The Mules forced a corner as time expired, giving them one last opportunity in regulation. The Red Devils were able to clear the attempt and send the game into overtime.

Davis gained possession on an early Muhlenberg corner and looked to counter. The Mules won the ball back and sent a shot off the left post.

Muhlenberg kept the momentum, forcing two more corners, but could not net the winner. The Devils had another big chance as Kramer chased down a ball in the circle but Rosenthal made another clutch save.

It was the senior Karwel who would punch the Devils' ticket to Lancaster, slicing a shot inside the left post, with 5:26 remaining in overtime. The Centennial Conference playoff win is the first in program history as they return to the semifinals for the second time in three seasons.

The Red Devils held a 7-5 edge in shots while Muhlenberg had a 6-5 advantage in corners, forcing three in overtime. A solid defensive effort forced just one save from senior goaltender Emily Fuss (Newtown Square, Pa./Academy of Notre Dame). Fuss directed the defensive to the Devils' fifth shutout of the season.

The Red Devils improve to 12-6 overall. They will face top-seed and #4-ranked Franklin & Marshall on Saturday afternoon at 12:00 pm.