The UConn field hockey team looks to end the season on the right foot after losing to Syracuse on Sunday. Kicking off at noon on Friday, Nov. 1, the team takes on Old Dominion.
The in-conference rivalry dates back to 1987. At the beginning of their annual meetings, the Huskies struggled to find success. Dominating the head-to-head matchup until 2013, Old Dominion handed UConn 16 losses, only slipping up three contests. Turning the tables in their second matchup in 2013 and going on a 13-game rampage, Connecticut put their past behind them. Ending the streak in 2023, the Monarchs took back their throne in a 3-2 overtime thriller. Seeing two overtime deciders in recent weeks, Connecticut knows how to take care of business if this clash goes into extra time.
Compared to the previous season, neither team is the same coming into this contest. From finishing 5-13 last season to clinching a spot in the Big East Tournament, it is no secret that Connecticut has a solid chance of winning. To further make the case, after taking one on the chin to No. 12 Syracuse and moving down in the rankings to No. 10, the Huskies have a good chance of coming out victorious.
Shifting towards their opponents, the Monarchs finished the 2023 season 14-6, winning the Big East Championship. Entering this season, the team earned a spot in the top 25 rankings after starting their campaign off impressively. That title slowly retracted away from Old Dominion after losing key contests and becoming unranked by week four. Coming off a win against Appalachian State, the Monarchs look to continue their two-game win streak.
Unraveling the Huskies’ roster, watching out for players like Sophie Perschk is a must. Syracuse shut down Connecticut’s offense on Sunday, but striving to fight for opportunities was Perschk. Leading UConn in shots attempted, the freshman ended the day with a pair of shots. She also showed off her playmaking skills with one assist leading to a goal. In addition, the team’s defense stepped up over the weekend, keeping them in the contests. Holding Liberty to one goal and shutting down Orange’s offense until the fourth quarter shows that UConn’s defense is a problem.
Turning over to Old Dominion, pressuring the goalkeeper is what Serena Langendoen and Tess Jedeloo do best. Combining for 16 shot attempts with 11 on goal, a productive day for UConn keeper Natalie McKenna is on the horizon. Finding the back of the net is a possible struggle to watch out for, as McKenna has proven to come up with big saves.
The Huskies have had an excellent season up to this point. An away win on Friday would be the cherry on top of a great season and a nice way to head into postseason play. However, UConn certainly has the keys to victory in this one; they just need to execute at a high level like they have so many times before.