Hibbs Nets First Career Goal to Lead No. 6 Field Hockey Over Yale 2-0
BOX SCORE
NEW HAVEN, CONN. – No. 6 University at Albany field hockey (10-2, 2-1 AE) got back in the win column on Sunday afternoon, posting a 2-0 shutout at Yale (2-8, 0-3 Ivy). Sophomore Kelsey Briddell scored the game-winner, while junior defender Jaclyn Hibbs tallied her first career goal for insurance.
“Today we gave our team a few challenges in an effort to redeem ourselves from a tough loss at Maine on Friday,” said head coach Phil Sykes. “We played very well defensively, and up front we were unlucky to not score more goals given the opportunities we created for ourselves. I'm proud of the way we rebounded today, and we're looking forward to keep that going.”
UAlbany fired seven shots in the first 12 minutes before earning its first penalty corner. Paula Heuser had her shot blocked from the top of the circle, and Rachel Billig had two good looks on the rebound. A second corner saw another Heuser shot saved.
As Yale continued to make substitutions looking for an offensive answer, the Danes kept pounding the circle. Liza Morgan and Anna Bottino each went toe-to-toe with the Yale goalkeeper, but couldn't convert.
After 19 unanswered shots, Yale made its first push to net at the end of the first half. The Purple & Gold held a 21-1 advantage in shots in the opening 35 minutes, as well as a 4-1 edge in penalty corners.
Bottino, Heuser and Morgan racked up more shots to open the second half, but a penalty corner scramble finally put the Danes on the board in the 55th minute. Megan Ma inserted directly to Frederike Helmke, who had her shot blocked and then a rebound attempt saved. Kelsey Briddell finally poked in the loose ball to make the score 1-0 on her first goal of the season.
Yale called timeout to regroup shortly after the UAlbany goal, but Jaclyn Hibbs made it 2-0 moments later. The junior defender beat two Yale players deep in the Danes' end before crossing midfield and taking the ball herself to goal. Hibbs tallied her first career goal and third career point.
Heuser nearly put UAlbany up by more, but the junior had three shots on penalty corners saved to conclude regulation.
Phil Sykes's squad out-shot Yale 41-2, with a 20-1 clip in shots on goal. Maxi Primus made one save in her 44th career victory. She is two wins away from passing Ashley Ross (2005-08) as the winningest goalkeeper in UAlbany program history.
The Purple & Gold took its highest total number of shots since 2012 against Yale. Sykes also records his 10th-straight season with 10 wins or more in the victory.
UAlbany field hockey (10-2, 2-1 AE) continues America East play next weekend at UMass Lowell (5-8, 0-3 AE) on Friday, followed by Vermont (3-11, 1-3 AE) in Burlington on Sunday.
