GREENWOOD VILLAGE - The Smoky Hill field hockey team always has been one of Colorado's elite squads, but even it is in the midst of a new era that has encompassed the sport in this state.

One of several teams with a new coach, the top-ranked Buffs have torn up the prep scene so far this season but had to grind out a win against No. 4 Denver East on Tuesday night at the Stutler Bowl.

The Angels, one of several programs on the rise this season, forced overtime with an early second-half goal, but the Buffs squeezed out a 2-1 victory thanks to Audrey Dickinson's goal four minutes into the extra period.

It was the third overtime game for the Buffs, who improved to 11-2 under Jenny Perizzolo.

For Dickinson, a senior, the goal was her second overtime winner.

"I've just been the lucky one to hit it in," said Dickinson, whose other overtime goal came in a 1-0 upset of Kent Denver earlier this year. "It's really all about the girls who get it up to the top and set it up. I just happen to be the person there when it comes."

Dickinson's goal finished a tight game that exemplified what the elite teams recently have discovered: There are other teams to worry about this season.

"The big teams have seen some upsets, and you can't take anyone for granted, especially this year," Dickinson said. "Other years, you'd see teams intimidated. No team is intimidated anymore."

That includes Denver East, which also played Colorado Academy well and beat Cherry Creek recently. The Angels, also under a new coach (Julie Stephens), dropped to 6-3, but things are looking in the right direction for the 19 seniors on the team.

"We want to be one of those top teams, and we're optimistic that we can do well in the playoffs," senior forward Lila Creighton said. "We lost this game, but this isn't the end of our season. We're hoping to play and compete with these teams in the playoffs."

The Angels worked hard to fight back from an early deficit against the Buffs. After allowing a goal to Abby Rimel only 4:52 into the game, Denver East dominated the offensive play for the rest of regulation.

The Angels had eight penalty corners in the first half to Smoky Hill's two, but the Buffs escaped without allowing a goal until the beginning stages of the second half.

That's when Creighton was able to break downfield with Alyssa Nelson alongside her. Creighton took on a Smoky Hill defender one-on-one and dished to an open Nelson in the middle of the cage to tie the score at 1-1 at the 25:36 mark.

Both teams played well defensively down the stretch, but Dickinson's overtime goal came on a turnover in Smoky's offensive zone.

"There's no standout individual on this team, which is great," Perizzolo said. "The girls want to win as a team or lose as team. East came out with their best game, and we had to pick it up at the end to win."

Denver East......0	1	0	-	1
Smoky Hill......1	0	1	-	2

Goals-assists - DE, Alyssa Nelson 1-0, Lila Creighton 0-1; SH, Abby Rimel 1-0, Audrey Dickinson 1-0.

Shots on goal - East 6, Smoky Hill 3. Goalie saves - DE, Lexi Sigler 1-0-0-1; SH, Carly Wagner 1-4-0-5. Penalty corners - East 8-3-0-11; Smoky Hill 2-2-0-4.

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