NEWARK, Del. – The #20 UAlbany field hockey team scored early in the second half to tie the game but fell 3-1 to #12 Delaware after two late goals by the Blue Hens.
Dana Bozek netted her second goal on the season off a penalty corner from Kelsey Briddell to tie the game at 1-1 for UAlbany (4-4). Delaware (7-2) scored its go-ahead off a second penalty stroke goal from Greta Nauck, adding an insurance goal later from Lisa Giezeman.
“We played very well tonight against a quality team,” said UAlbany head coach Phil Sykes. “We just had trouble finishing, missing several opportunities by a hair.”
UAlbany outshot Delaware 11-6 in the game and had 11 penalty corners to Delaware's two, but fell victim to the goalie play of Emmeline Oltmans, who had seven saves on eight attempts on the cage.
Paula Heuser finished with five shots on goal in the contest. Maxi Primus got the defeat in 70 minutes in goal.
Nauck's two goals give her 12 on the season. Oltmans picked up the victory.
In the 15th minute off a penalty corner, Jaclyn Hibbs protected against Nauck's shot off the swing, but Delaware was granted a penalty stroke. Nauck scored on her shot to put the home team up 1-0.
UAlbany got back to the offensive side and hacked away, including Heuser's shot in the 21st minute being past the keeper but saved by defender Kayla Devlin.
In minute 28, UAlbany earned a couple of penalty corners and put pressure on Delaware. Heuser swung twice for the cage, each being stopped by Ottmans. UAlbany got a couple more chances in the closing minutes of the half from Bozek and Anna Bottino, but both were saved as UAlbany trailed at the half 1-0.
UAlbany got back to the penalty corners in minute 39. On the second attempt, Briddell sent the pass to Bozek, who shot and scored close range to tie the game at 1-1.
Again Heuser got a look on goal in the 49th minute off a penalty corner, with her shot being saved.
Delaware again picked up a penalty stroke attempt in the 54th minute. Primus got contact on the shot but could not stop it from entering the cage as Nauck's goal as Delaware led 2-1.
UAlbany tried to tie the game back up in the 63rd minute on a penalty corner, but did not get a shot off. Delaware countered and raced down the field, with Sarah Horgan setting up Giezeman for the shot and score to make it 3-1 Blue Hens.
The Great Danes had one last chance in the 69th minute as a penalty corner went to Heuser for a ground ball shot, being saved by Oltmans. Delaware took the 3-1 victory.
UAlbany remains on the road for its next contest, heading to Philadelphia to play Saint Joseph's on Sunday, September 25th at 3 p.m.
