Bottino Nets Two as No. 11 Field Hockey Extends Winning Streak to Seven
BOX SCORE
FAIRFIELD, CONN. – Two goals from freshman midfielder Anna Bottino led No. 11 University at Albany field hockey (13-2, 3-0 AE) over Fairfield (5-11, 0-3 AE) 2-1 on Saturday afternoon. The victory is the seventh in a row for the Great Danes, who have also won 11 of their last 12 contests.
“It was a tough, gritty game on the road today,” said head coach Phil Sykes. “We had a hard time against a team that was very fired up to play us at home. I liked our perseverance today to get the league win.”
Bottino wasted no time giving UAlbany a 1-0 lead. The freshman took it herself with less than two minutes gone in the first half, after the Purple & Gold earned an early penalty corner.
The Stags came back with a shot of their own, but the UAlbany back line made the necessary adjustments and sent the midfield line downfield. The Great Danes earned two more penalty corners, resulting in shots on goal for Pahila Arnold and Laura Page.
But Fairfield wasn't deterred, as senior Felicitas Heinen hit the post with 10 minutes left in the first half. Phil Sykes's squad managed to hold on to take a 4-1 penalty corner and 7-2 shot advantage into the break along with its 1-0 lead.
The Stags came into the second half hoping to swing the momentum, and got what they were looking for 15 minutes in. Fairfield found the back of the cage off of two initial shot rebounds.
UAlbany garnered a corner for the first time since the 26:11 mark of the first half with 13 minutes remaining. The momentum shift was enough to give Page two quality looks, one of which required a defensive save at the goal line.
Bottino scored the game-winner with 10 minutes left in regulation, making a move around the Fairfield keeper to take the 2-1 win.
Maxi Primus made four saves to take the win in the cage. Bottino tallied two goals in a game for the second time this season.
UAlbany field hockey will honor its seniors Anna Berman, Kelly Bonner, Echo Bretz, Jordyn Homyak and Amy Nicklin on Saturday, Oct. 25 at 1:00 p.m., against Maine (9-6, 3-0 AE). Both teams are on a seven-game unbeaten streak, and the winner will take sole possession of first place in the America East standings. The contest against the Black Bears marks the final home regular season game for the Great Danes.
