On Sunday, UConn field hockey came up with a massive win against the No. 9 ranked team, Rutgers University, improving their record to 4-0. This win bumped the Huskies up in the top 25 rankings, and they now sit at No. 16 in the country. UConn hopes to continue this success as they face Brown University on Thursday, Sept. 12, at 4 p.m.
Thursday’s clash will be the first time in over 20 years these teams have seen each other. They have played each other 10 times, with the last game in 2002. The Huskies have an impressive 9-1 record against Brown, which they hope to make 10-1 on Thursday.
This will be the Bears’ third game of their season, and they have struggled to find a win so far. They played the University of Massachusetts Lowell in a 3-2 loss and Boston University in a 3-2 loss. In both games combined, Brown took 48 shots, with 19 shots on goal and four shots making it in. In the past three games combined, the Huskies took 57 shots, with 47 shots on goal and 19 shots making it in.
After last week’s games, Connecticut continues to have outstanding players making the Big East weekly awards. Goalkeeper Natalie McKenna was named Defensive Player of the Week, and forward freshman Sophie Perschk was named Freshman Player of the Week.
Starting every game, McKenna saved 15 shots across all four games. McKenna is a big part of the defense and a gamechanger. She is someone to watch out for on the field, even though she is just playing keeper.
Perschk, has played in all four games, but only started in one. Perschk has had two goals and three assists across all four games. In the last couple of games, Perschk has made a name for herself. If Perschk or someone like Madi Herb, who’s made great assists leading to goals, can get the ball to players like Juul Sauer, Sophia Ugo or Sol Simone, this match-up will be deadly on Thursday.
Thursday’s game should be an easy win for Connecticut, but then again, never judge a book by its cover.