SCORE: California 3, UAlbany 2
LOCATION: Wicked Blue Field - Lowell, Mass.
RECORDS: UAlbany 13-6, 8-5 AE | California 12-7, 5-3 AE
SHORT STORY: In a back-and-forth championship game, it was fourth-seed California earning an overtime win for the upset, Sunday afternoon.
COACH PHIL SYKES: "This was a game of different realms. I thought we had a lot of opportunities and good looks, we just couldn't capitalize. Their goalie and their defense played quite well. I am very proud of how our girls battled and did not give up. They had a lot of passion trying to get the back-to-back title, which is always tough.
SYKES ON THE SEASON: "It was a fantastic season in a lot of ways. I always look at it in three parts - beginning, middle, and end. I was so proud of how we grew and evolved throughout the year and put ourselves in this place. Anything can happen in these championship games, so we want to get to this position to have that opportunity [to win]. I am so proud of our team, of their effort … we had a good chance to win today. Sometimes, it just doesn't go your way. Hats off to Cal, they battled hard and finished the end of their season quite strong and I think they will represent us well in the NCAA Tournament."
KEY STATS
- Juniors Alison Smisdom and Floor de Ruiter each tallied a goal.
- Freshman Mara Küskes tallied an assist in both of the Great Danes' goals.
- Senior Charlotte Triggs and junior Blanca Orsola added an assist each.
- As a team, UAlbany outshot California, 16-8, with a 10-6 advantage in shots on goal.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Golden Bears struck first in the ninth minute of action.
- Nearing the end of the first half, the Great Danes tied the score with just 14 seconds left in the second quarter. Alison Smisdom sent the ball straight to the backboards after a stick-stop from Blanca Orsola and a penalty corner insert from Mara Küskes.
- After a scoreless third quarter, Floor de Ruiter scored the go-ahead goal for UAlbany. Receiving the penalty corner insert from Küskes, Charlotte Triggs was on the stick-stop for de Ruiter to drive the ball into the net.
- California tied the score with less than six minutes remaining in regulation.
- The Golden Bears scored the game-winning goal about five minutes into the first overtime period.
ALL-CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT
ELITE-18 AWARD
- The Elite-18 award is given to the student-athlete with the highest GPA competing in the championship of their respective sport.
- Senior Chiara Calicchia is currently earning a bachelor's in Globalization Studies with a 4.00 GPA.
For more information on the University at Albany field hockey team, follow the squad's official social media accounts shown below.
Twitter - @ualbanyfh
Instagram & Threads - @ualbanyfh
Facebook – facebook.com/UAlbanyFH
