UConn field hockey (3-4) took a trip to the tri-state area this past weekend and split a pair of road matches. The Huskies won in their first game of conference play on Saturday with a 2-1 victory over the Villanova Wildcats (1-6) before being shutout in a 5-0 loss against the Princeton Tigers (4-2).
In game one, UConn faced their first Big East opponent of the year in Villanova. Both of UConn’s two goals came in the first half. Freshman Lene Bunjes got the scoring started with an unassisted close-range shot in the first quarter. Bunjes stole the ball from Villanova defender Gemma Lysaght after Lysaght had gotten a stick on an errant pass from UConn’s Julia Bressler.
UConn extended their lead with just 41 seconds left in the first half, as freshman Abby Davidson scored her first collegiate goal to bring the score to 2-0. Davidson’s goal was also unassisted, as she handled a loose ball from just inside the scoring arc while back pedaling for an impressive first goal.
Villanova pulled within one in third quarter on a score from junior Addie Froehlich on a penalty corner attempt that was assisted by Molly Zimmerman. That was all Villanova could muster offensively on the day, as the goal was the only shot on the day that they placed on goal. UConn’s defense played strong throughout, only allowing the Wildcats to get four shots off in total.
With UConn looking to sweep of a weekend series for the first time this season, the Huskies were shut out against ESPN No. 9 Princeton. Beth Yeager had a big day for Princeton, as the senior midfielder scored the first goal of the game for the Tigers on a shot assisted by freshman Saylor Milone. A member of the 2024 United States Olympic field hockey team, and a three-time All American also had two assists.
Sophomore defender Izzy Morgan scored her first career goal in her 26th collegiate game, making it a 2-0 game going into the second quarter. While both teams combined for a game high eight shots in the second, neither scored and the score remained at 2-0 going into the half.
Princeton took off in the second half, scoring twice in the third and once in the fourth to put the game out of reach. Ottilie Sykes, Ella Hampson and Helena Grosse all had a goal for the Tigers, with Grosse also adding an assist.
Princeton goalie Olivia Caponiti pitched a shutout with four saves before getting pulled midway through the fourth quarter. UConn goalie McKenna had five saves, letting in 50% of Princeton’s shots on goal. Princeton and UConn each got a similar number of shots off with 13 and 10, respectively, but the Tigers had six more shots on goal. The 5-0 loss was the second time that UConn has been shut out this season. The Huskies are now 1-2 against Ivy League opponents.
After back-to-back weekend double headers, UConn will play just one game next weekend as they travel to Lynchburg, Virginia to play the No. 5 Liberty Flames (5-1). The Friday night contest will take place at the Liberty Field Hockey Field with a start time of 6 p.m.