Maxi Primus Becomes Winningest Goalkeeper in Program History as No. 10 Field Hockey Shuts Out Vermont 6-0
BOX SCORE
ALBANY, N.Y.- With 46 career victories in the Great Dane uniform, Maxi Primus now claims the most goalkeeper wins in program history thanks to a 6-0 victory at Vermont (3-12, 1-4 AE) on Sunday afternoon. No. 10 University at Albany field hockey (12-2, 4-1 AE) took its fourth shutout of the season.
“This is probably the most complete game we've played all season,” said head coach Phil Sykes. “We were impressive in all aspects, and we did a great job of moving the ball through the entire game. I was pleased to have so many players get involved, and share the ball as much as we did. Overall really pleased with the effort.”
After earning several corners in the early going, Anna Bottino and Paula Heuser got UAlbany rolling. Heuser connected with Bottino across the circle, and the sophomore from Clifton Park fired upper left for a 1-0 Dane lead.
Just eight minutes later, Rachel Billig scored her first goal of the season after a penalty corner rebound got loose. Fiori Van Rijswijk was credited with the assist.
The Danes continued to push the pace early in the first half thanks to a steady defense. Despite snow and blustery conditions, the foursome of Frederike Helmke, Jaclyn Hibbs, Laura Page and Fiori Van Rijswijk kept Vermont outside UAlbany's 25-yard line.
With both sides of the ball continuing to thrive for the Purple & Gold, classmates Anna Bottino and Kelsey Briddell gave Phil Sykes & co., a 3-0 cushion with five minutes left in the first half. Billig added her second goal of the game moments later from Bottino.
At the half, UAlbany held an 11-1 shot advantage with six unanswered penalty corners.
The Danes spread the wealth in the second half, as Paula Heuser scored from Fiori Van Rijswijk in the 45th minute. Van Rijswijk inserted a penalty corner directly to Heuser for a 5-0 edge.
To conclude scoring, Megan Ma notched her first career goal from fellow freshman Frederike Helmke. Helmke hit Ma for a pass in the middle of the field, and Ma took it to the Vermont defense in the circle.
For the second time this season, UAlbany's defense did not allow a penalty corner. The match-up against the Catamounts also saw four goal-scorers and six different players record points, including three freshmen. In the last two games, eight different Danes have at least one point to their credit.
Maxi Primus passed four-year goalkeeper Ashley Ross (2005-08) to top the goalie wins leaderboard with 46. The junior saw two shots on Sunday.
Next up, UAlbany field hockey (12-2, 4-1 AE) hosts Cornell (8-4, 3-1 Ivy) at Alumni Turf for a game under the lights on Tuesday at 7:00pm.
