Heuser's Heroics Propel No. 10 Field Hockey Past UNH 4-3
BOX SCORE
DURHAM, N.H.- Paula Heuser scored three goals including a late penalty stroke on Sunday afternoon for a No. 10 University at Albany (15-2, 6-1 AE) 4-3 victory at UNH (7-9, 3-3 AE). The junior also broke the all-time UAlbany career points record in the win.
“The tough thing following the Maine game on Friday was making sure our energy stayed up,” said head coach Phil Sykes. “When UNH took an early lead and then against in the second half, we needed to find a way to motivate each other. Our seniors really stepped up their leadership down the stretch, and that really carried us through for the win in the end.”
New Hampshire got the ball rolling first, converting on a penalty stroke just seven minutes into the game. The Wildcats forced Maxi Primus to make two saves early before taking a 1-0 lead.
The Danes warmed up shortly after, as Anna Bottino and Liza Morgan fired shots. Paula Heuser finally evened the score at one with a penalty stroke of her own in the 16th minute.
With the Wildcats holding an early 4-1 shot advantage, UAlbany quickly made up the difference. Just 1:12 after netting the equalizer, Kelsey Briddell scored on a scramble in front of the cage from Morgan for a 2-1 Danes lead.
Despite controlling the pace mid-way through the half, UNH found itself with a penalty corner late. After making two initial saves, a long shot by Lynne Lehman brought the game back to a draw at two with less than five minutes to go in the first half.
The Danes nearly took the lead back on a last-minute corner, but a Heuser shot to the upper right corner was denied on a glove save as time expired.
The Purple & Gold and UNH ended the first 35 minutes of play dead even in nearly every category, including shots (8) shots on goal (6), corners (3), saves (4) and goals.
But the Wildcats came out with the momentum to start, scoring less than 10 minutes into the second period for a 3-2 advantage.
UAlbany applied more pressure into the UNH end, forcing the Wildcats into poor passes through the middle of the field. On a turnover near midfield, Heuser took the ball herself, firing a dangerous shot wide with 25 minutes to play.
Heuser kept the offense moving, as she entered the circle unmarked in the 52nd minute. The junior found Bottino, who hit the post on an initial shot. Heuser followed up on the rebound to score, knotting the game at three with 18 minutes left.
The teams went back and forth late in the contest, each earning quality looks. But Heuser once again took control of the game with two minutes to go. The junior charged the circle with the ball on her stick, game tied at three. After her initial shot was saved, Morgan followed up on net. The third penalty stroke of the game ensued, and Heuser buried it into the left corner.
UNH called timeout after the stroke, down 4-3 with 1:44 remaining in the game. As head coach Robin Balducci called for the Wildcats to push forward, Jaclyn Hibbs blocked a shot at the top of the circle. The UAlbany defense kept its composure, not allowing a penalty corner in the final 30 minutes of play.
With three goals on the road against New Hampshire, Paula Heuser became the all-time UAlbany program leader in career points, totaling 164 thus far. The junior broke the career goals record in a 3-1 victory over Maine on Friday. Heuser has scored at least once in five consecutive games, including six goals in three games.
In the victory, UAlbany sits in a tie for first place in league standings at 5-1 with No. 18 Maine. The East Division of the America East is set, but seeds are yet to be determined between UAlbany, Maine, UNH and Vermont.
The Danes wrap up regular season conference play on Sunday, Nov. 1 at 1:00pm against UMass Lowell (5-12, 0-6 AE). Sykes & co., will recognize the careers of four seniors: Liza Morgan, Laura Page, Fiori Van Rijswijk and Emily White.
