The UConn field hockey team took home a pair of wins against Liberty and Temple over the weekend to become the 2024 Big East Champions and added their 17th title to the trophy case.
Coming into Friday’s challenge, UConn and Liberty knew each other all too well after facing off two weeks ago. In the regular season, defending impacted the contest immensely for both teams and this weekend’s matchup told the same story. Keeping the score close, the Huskies shot 10 for five on goal and Liberty took eight for four on goal.
Connecticut immediately drove the ball down the field and took the opportunity to get on the board first. No. 11 Milou Heuker attempted a shot, followed by a block by keeper Michaela Skinner. Failing to get any shots off for the rest of the quarter, the Huskies saw nothing but substitutes.
Unlike UConn, the Flames had a different outcome to end the first quarter. Using a penalty corner to their advantage, No. 32 Dara Semmartin scored the first goal of the Big East semi-finals. Nearly deflected by the keeper, Natalie McKenna, the ball managed to get into the top right bin.
Entering the second quarter, the Huskies once again wasted no time getting into Liberty’s territory. After the referees awarded Connecticut with three consecutive penalty corners, tying up the contest looked to be on the horizon. Luck was not on UConn’s side, as No. 12 Julia Bressler’s attempt was blocked. In addition, Skinner saved both of No. 21 Sophie Perschk’s shots. After deflecting Perschk’s second shot, No. 4 Juul Sauer made an effort to redirect the ball into the goal. Hitting a mid-air shot, the ball missed the net, going out of bounds.
Playing stellar defense, the Huskies only allowed the Flames to get one shot off during the second quarter. Looking for their second goal off another corner, McKenna intercepted those plans. The keeper repelled the ball by sticking her leg out. Striving for redemption off the rebound, Liberty failed as McKenna made a diving save, pushing the ball out of the shooting circle. Heading into halftime, the score remained 1-0, Liberty.
Trading shots in the beginning of the third quarter, neither team found the back of the net. Less than five minutes later, No. 7 Olivia McKenna found an opportunity and took the ball up the field. Passing to Bressler, the forward found Sauer, who transferred the ball over to No. 23 Juana Garcia, tapping it in and putting UConn on the board.
Approaching the end of the third quarter, No. 12 Martu Cian for Liberty was given a green card. The team was forced to play with one less player for two minutes, putting them at a disadvantage. While trying to take advantage, the Huskies almost gave the ball away on a bad pass by No. 13 Isabel Soeters. Luckily, the ball bounced off the defender’s stick, rolling to Perschk and knocking it in for the lead. Unable to respond with another goal, Connecticut moved on to the Big East finals against Temple.
Breaking down the nail-biting championship match, both defenses once again played a key role in keeping the score close. Outshooting UConn with four more attempts, Temple struggled with accuracy as they only aimed for the goal three times. As for the Huskies, taking their openings for granted was not an option. Seeing the opponent’s net five times and shooting three on goal, Temple nearly shut down Connecticut’s offense.
Embarking on the first quarter, neither team generated much offense in the defensive battle. Taking two shots with one on goal, Temple’s keeper, No. 16 Isabella Ospitale, denied the early gain attempt, keeping the contest even.
For the entire first half, McKenna sat back in the net relaxing as the Huskies deconstructed the Owls’ offense. Temple failed to test out the water as every attempt made was declined. In addition, No. 20 Mathéa Lassalle got a green card in the second quarter. Unable to find success with the edge UConn had, the contest remained scoreless at the half.
Connecticut then pressured Temple early in the third quarter. The pressure paid off as the Owls blocked Perschk’s shot illegally, leading to a penalty stroke. Seeking to overturn the call, head coach Michelle Vittese challenged the ruling on the field but failed. Bressler, who succeeded with penalties in past showdowns, took the shot and found the back of the net, putting UConn on top.
Trailing by one in the third, Temple jumped right back, looking for an equalizer. Earning two penalty corners, Connecticut stood their ground, denying the Owls’ attempts. Coming down to the final three minutes in the fourth, the team acquired another three corners. Preventing Temple from bringing this into overtime, UConn stood strong, ending the game and becoming Champions.
The 2024 season is not over for the Huskies yet as they head to the NCAA tournament.