Heuser Becomes Division I Program Leader in Career Goals and Points in No. 7 Field Hockey's Opening Win at Miami (Ohio)
BOX SCORE
ALBANY, N.Y.- Defending NFHCA National Player of the Year Paula Heuser returned to form on Friday afternoon, scoring all three goals to send No. 7 University at Albany field hockey (1-0) to a 3-1 win at Miami (Ohio). The junior became the UAlbany Division I program leader in career goals with 49 and career points with 120 to date. Freshman Megan Ma also picked up her first career point in the victory.
“We're really searching to find out what this team's identity is,” said head coach Phil Sykes. “This was a good game for us in the sense that we made mistakes, but as the game went on we figured each other out and got better. Once we calmed down in the second half, I was particularly pleased with the performances of some of our newer players. Overall we're looking forward to getting back on the field Sunday.”
UAlbany put early pressure on the Red Hawks, despite Miami earning a penalty corner opportunity in the first minute of play. Sophomore Anna Bottino notched two shots on goal in the first seven minutes of the contest, but Miami's Alysa Xavier slid in for saves.
Heuser fired on net off of UAlbany's second penalty corner of the game, but Xavier thwarted the junior's attempts early on.
The Danes took an early 4-0 advantage in shots before Maxi Primus was called on to make a stop mid-way through the first half.
Penalty corners proved plentiful in the first half, but the Purple & Gold could not quite find the back of the cage. Heuser would have two more shots blocked on the corner insert before the half expired, and UAlbany led in corners 8-2 at the break.
Heuser did not stay down for long, as the junior weaved her way through a crowd to put the Danes up 1-0 in the 42nd minute. Sophomore Anna Bottino was credited with the assist.
Fiori Van Rijswijk took a break from penalty corner insertion duties to put several shots on net. The senior fired twice over the next four minutes, but the lid remained on the cage.
After a Heuser attempt was saved at the line by a Red Hawk, the midfielder converted on a penalty stroke to make the lead 2-0 for Sykes & co.
Three minutes later on the final penalty corner of the game, Ma inserted to Laura Page for the stop and Heuser slammed a goal home.
Maxi Primus made three saves in her 35th career win. Head coach Phil Sykes also picked up his 150th career victory.
Heuser is 39 points and 15 goals away from becoming the all-time UAlbany leader in points and goals, currently held by Dane Hall of Famer Tovah Atwell.
UAlbany field hockey continues its weekend road swing in Ohio on Sunday, Aug. 30, at Ohio State. The Danes are slated for a 1:00 p.m., start from Columbus.
