No.11 Field Hockey Drops 2-1 Decision to No. 6 Stanford For First Loss
ALBANY, N.Y.- University at Albany field hockey fell 2-1 in a physical game against No. 6 Stanford (7-2) on Sunday afternoon. The loss ends a nine-game undefeated streak to open the season for the Great Danes.
“It was a very good effort against a top team,” said head coach Phil Sykes. “We were a bit unlucky, but overall a really encouraging effort going into conference play.”
UAlbany put the pressure on early in the game, charging down the field to earn two penalty corners in the first five minutes. Paula Heuser, Liza Morgan and Daphne Voormolen all recorded shots on goal in the opening moments of the contest.
The remainder of the first period was played largely in the midfield, with both teams earning three penalty corners apiece.
Stanford got on the board quickly at the beginning of the second half, despite being down one player due to a yellow card assessed late in the first half. Kasey Quon tipped in a penalty corner rebound to score the first goal for the Cardinal. Jessica Chisolm scored 30 seconds later on a controversial tip on a shot fired outside the circle.
Paula Heuser took matters into her own hands less than one minute later, dribbling through the midfield to fire a shot from the top of the circle to make the score 2-1. Heuser has now scored eight goals to go with five assists this season.
The Great Danes kept pounding on the door after coming within one. UAlbany earned seven penalty corners and took 14 shots in the final 20 minutes of the game. The Great Danes scrapped in the circle off penalty corners, but couldn’t quite find the trigger to even the score.
Maxi Primus made five saves in the cage for the Great Danes.
UAlbany held a 26-9 shooting advantage and won the penalty corner battle 9-6 against the Cardinal.
The Great Danes return to action on Saturday, when they make the trip to Maine for their first America East contest.
