No. 8 Field Hockey Posts Record-Setting Offensive Performance in 7-1 Rout of UC Davis to Advance to America East Semifinals
BOX SCORE | TOURNAMENT CENTRAL
ALBANY, N.Y.- No 8 University at Albany field hockey (17-2) scored an America East Field Hockey Tournament single-game record seven goals on Thursday afternoon, setting UC Davis (8-12) back 7-1 in the league quarterfinals. Individually, Paula Heuser scored a tournament-record four goals. The Great Danes advance to face the winner of tomorrow's UNH-Pacific match-up on Saturday at noon in the semifinals.
“I wasn't sure how long the butterflies would be there today,” said head coach Phil Sykes. “Once we relaxed and settled in, we got more and more comfortable on all ends of the ball. If we can relax sooner in the next game, we'll be in good shape and hopefully make even more progress.
The game started off tight for both sides, but UAlbany took control in the UC Davis end quickly. The Aggies fired the first shot of the game, but the Purple & Gold began racking up the penalty corners 25 minutes in. The Purple & Gold earned eight unanswered corners, but shots by Paula Heuser, Anna Bottino and Frederike Helmke came up empty.
With corners proving unlucky, Heuser took the game into her own hands. After a shot by Annie Klinger was blocked, the three-time league Midfielder of the Year beat three defenders to blast a shot into the upper-90 for a 1-0 UAlbany lead.
Less than one minute later, Heuser found space in the circle for a shot on a penalty corner. The junior had her shot blocked, but Kelsey Briddell followed up to make it a 2-0 Dane advantage. Rebounds proved to be a trend in the first half, as Heuser converted on her own miss in the 31st minute for her second goal of the period.
The defending NFHCA Player of the Year, Heuser recorded her third goal of the first period just before the break. She made an impossible angle possible from the right end line, putting the ball past a UC Davis defender for a 4-0 Danes lead after 35 minutes.
UAlbany out-shot UC Davis 23-1 in the first half, and took a 13-1 edge in penalty corners. The Danes would end the day with a season-high 15 corners.
In the 50th minute, Megan Ma streaked down the left side of the field to find Bottino. The All-Conference Second Team selection spun to score, good for a 5-1 margin. Three minutes later, Bottino hit Heuser downfield for an assist on the German's fourth goal of the afternoon. Bottino got the better of a three-on-two opportunity.
To conclude scoring, Taylor Schwoyer shot a diagonal pass to freshman Rachel Billig, who was waiting in the circle. Billig scored for her fourth goal of the year, while Schwoyer notched her first career point.
With Thursday's four-goal performance, Heuser broke the UAlbany single-season record for points and goals. The junior bested her own marks from a year ago, and now has 70 points with 30 goals in 2015. She has scored 76 career goals and recorded 184 points.
Maxi Primus took yet another victory the cage with one save.
The Great Danes (17-2) will rest on Friday awaiting their opponent. Sykes & co., meet the winner of the UNH-Pacific game on Saturday at noon.
