Cambridge, Mass. ? UAlbany's Michelle Simpson scored a pair of goals, including the game-winner in overtime, to lead UAlbany to a 2-1 victory over Vermont in the semifinal round of the America East Conference Field Hockey Championship hosted by Boston University at MIT's Jack Berry Field on Friday afternoon.
The Great Danes, who have already established a school record for single-season wins with a 15-4 record, advance to their first-ever conference championship game, where they will face the top-seeded Terriers on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. Boston U. defeated New Hampshire, 5-2, the first semifinal of the day.
Simpson scored the first goal of the game just 5:35 into the contest, coming from the right side and taking the ball all the way to the cage to give UAlbany an early lead. Vermont's Kate McClintock tied the game at one apiece in the 53rd minute, redirecting a pass from Kate Lipton in front of the cage past UAlbany goalkeeper Ashley Ross. The Great Danes would take seven shots in the final minutes of the game, but could not capitalize in regulation.
In the extra period, Simpson collected the ball in the open field and came around the right side of Vermont goaltender Kristen Heavens, finding the back of the cage with eight minutes and five seconds elapsed.
UAlbany outshot Vermont 20-11, and held a 14-8 advantage in penalty corners. Heavens finished with 11 saves in the cage for the Catamounts, who finish the season with a 12-7 record. The Great Danes' Ross turned aside six shots.
-agate-
America East Conference Tournament ? Semifinal Round
UAlbany (15-4) 1 0 1 - 2
Vermont (12-7) 0 1 0 - 1
UAlbany: Scoring ? Michelle Simpson (2-0). Goalkeeping ? Ashley Ross (78:05, 1 GA, 6 saves).
Vermong: Scoring ? Kate McClintock (1-0), Kate Lipton (0-1). Goalkeeping ? Kristen Heavens (78:05, 2 GA, 11 saves).
UAlbany 2, Vermont 1 (OT) (Nov 02, 2007)
Field Hockey Box Score
Field Hockey Box Score (Final)
2007 UAlbany Field Hockey
VERMONT vs #15 Albany (Nov 02, 2007 at Cambridge, Mass.)
VERMONT (12-7) vs. Goals by period 1 2 OT Tot
Albany (15-4) ----------------------------------
Date: Nov 02, 2007 Attendance: 187 VERMONT............. 0 1 0 - 1
Weather: sunny, high 40s Albany.............. 1 0 1 - 2
VERMONT Albany
Pos ## Player Sh SOG G A DS Pos ## Player Sh SOG G A DS
--------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------
GK 3 Heavens, Kristen.... - - - - - GK 38 Ross, Ashley........ - - - - -
9 Angers, Jen......... - - - - - 3 Savage, Nicole...... 7 5 - - -
10 Striegler, Kim...... 4 2 - - - 5 Daly, Sam........... 1 - - - -
12 Luce, Maegan........ - - - - - 6 Lindsey, Jess....... 3 1 - - -
13 Welsh, Betsy........ 2 2 - - - 8 Vandenberg, Anouk... 1 1 - - -
15 Collins, Danielle... 1 - - - - 10 Clephane, Suzy...... - - - - -
18 Burke, Lauren....... 1 - - - - 11 Deane, Sarah........ - - - - -
20 McClintock, Kelly... 2 2 1 - - 14 Simpson, Michelle... 3 3 2 - -
21 Horowski, Jenna..... - - - - 2 15 Holder, Kristen..... 1 - - - -
23 Meacham, Sarah...... - - - - - 18 Bach, Ashlyn........ - - - - -
24 Lipton, Kate........ - - - 1 - 22 Polizois, Michele... 4 3 - - -
---------- Substitutes ---------- ---------- Substitutes ----------
4 Smith, Katie........ - - - - - 13 Walter, Vanessa..... - - - - -
14 Winder, Stirling.... - - - - - 16 Hough, Alysia....... - - - - -
22 Maynard, Megan...... 1 1 - - - Totals.............. 20 13 2 0 0
Totals.............. 11 7 1 1 2
VERMONT Albany
## Player MIN GA Saves ## Player MIN GA Saves
--------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
3 Heavens, Kristen.... 78:05 2 11 38 Ross, Ashley........ 78:05 1 6
Shots by period 1 2 OT Tot Saves by period 1 2 OT Tot
---------------------------------- ----------------------------------
VERMONT............. 4 6 1 - 11 VERMONT............. 5 5 1 - 11
Albany.............. 9 9 2 - 20 Albany.............. 3 2 1 - 6
Penalty corners 1 2 OT Tot
----------------------------------
VERMONT............. 2 5 1 - 8
Albany.............. 5 7 2 - 14
SCORING SUMMARY:
GOAL Time Team Goal Scorer Assists Description
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. 5:35 ALBANY Simpson, Michelle (12) (unassisted) from right side, all the way to the cage
2. 52:43 VERMONT McClintock, Kelly (7) Lipton, Kate redirect in front of cage; pass from out
3. 78:05 ALBANY Simpson, Michelle (13) (unassisted) breakawy; around keeper, right side
PLAYER CARDS:
GC-VERMONT #22 (40:13); GC-ALBANY #11 (43:05); YC-ALBANY #18 (56:57)
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