The UConn field hockey team took the road to face No. 5 Liberty on Friday night. The Huskies were swept by the Eagles 0-1, having gone into the weekend standing at 3-4.
The first quarter opened with Natalie McKenna in goal for UConn and Diane Saint Martin in net for Liberty. McKenna kept the Eagles scoreless, saving a shot from freshman midfielder Mia Santana early in the game. Just 14 minutes in, two shots on goal had been made, none finding their place in the back of the net. The period ended scoreless, with minor violations leaving Sol Simone and Julia Bressler for the Huskies, along with Maite Altamirano for the Eagles, with a green card.
By the second quarter, UConn had fired up their offense, all shots on goal occurring during the first five minutes of the play. Forward Bressler pressed into the goal, only to be blocked. Simone followed suit six seconds later with two penalty corners ending without fanfare. In the remaining minutes of the half, Avery Pollock made a shot, going wide.
With key starters Bressler and Simone driving the Huskies’ attack and their defensive line holding firm, the Huskies attempted to flip the script, hoping to secure a win after their loss against Ivy contender, Princeton, earlier in the week.
UConn began the third quarter racing to beat the stalemate. Freshman Lene Bujes seized an early opportunity, sending the ball flying toward the net before being saved by Martin. Substitutions persisted without break during the period, both teams hoping to find the best combinations to secure a win.
The fourth quarter came barreling in with tensions running high. The frame opened quietly until UConn took charge. At minute six, the Huskies fired a series of shots by sophomore Olivia Donahue, two by Bujes, ending with a final blow by sophomore Olivia McKenna, but Martin turned them all away. A short two minutes after the play by UConn, Liberty came in with a penalty corner by Lou Combrinck and assist by Morena Giacosa for the first goal of the game. The period ended quickly after that with the Huskies attempting for the last time, two penalty corners at the hands of Simone, and a blocked shot by freshman Milou Heuker.
Looking ahead, the Huskies will host Providence at home on Friday before hitting the road once more to take on UMass this Sunday.