Early on Friday evening, the UConn field hockey team traveled to Hamden, Conn., to face their ranked opponents, hoping to maintain a winning streak after defeating Old Dominion last weekend. Despite a down-to-the wire matchup, the program came out with a 4-2 win against No. 45 Quinnipiac. The game opened with Natalie McKenna in goal for the Huskies and Cristina Torres at goalie for Quinnipiac. The quarter progressed slowly with repeated fouls from both teams and multiple substitutions. At the 11th minute, senior midfielder Mo Quaile secured a goal for Quinnipiac, ending the first quarter.
The second quarter gained momentum with a goal from UConn freshman Lene Bujes, assisted by senior forward Juana Garcia. Shortly after, Quinnipiac’s senior forward Cameron Brower attempted a penalty corner that ended without a goal. The quarter progressed with tensions running high, both teams attempting to break the tie. After two more failed penalty corners by Quinnipiac’s Brower, the team scored another goal. Sophomore midfielder Francisca Eschoyez knocked a goal into the back of the net, with an assist by Brower, ending the first half 2-1.
The second half began with pressure from the Huskies attempting to regain their lead. Consequently, UConn fouled twice before allowing Quinnipiac its own set of two fouls. The game progressed with a drive on offense as senior midfielder Sol Simone attempted a penalty. Within seconds of Simone’s play, freshman Abby Davidson made a shot on goal only to be blocked. The fury from the offensive line continued as sophomore back Milou Heuker attempted a shot only to be saved by Quinnipiac’s goalie. Quinnipiac attempted to take back control of the play with a shot by their sophomore midfielder Lauren Keyte that was saved by McKenna.
The attack didn’t end there, with Eschoyez trying a shot a few seconds later only to end up going wide. The UConn Huskies took back control at the end of the quarter with one final attempt by freshman Pien Prins to make a shot that was later saved by Quinnipiac’s goalie, Torres.
The Huskies continued their offensive drive early in the final quarter. Simone attempted a penalty corner, followed by a shot at the hands of sophomore back Fien Hollander, sandwiched in by another penalty corner by Simone. To end these repeated assaults, Pien, assisted by Simone, added another goal to the score. Sitting at another tie, the Huskies refused to let up control, Simone at the forefront of another penalty corner. Following her lead, Bujes tried another goal that was saved by Quinnipiac’s Torres, only to be reclaimed by UConn once again.
The Huskies acted fast after this, tallying another goal by Davidson, assisted by Hollander. Having gained fuel from their 3-2 standing, UConn’s freshman Sydney Moritz struck a penalty corner with a shot by freshman Zita Grigoliet occurring shortly after. With both shots blocked, Simone attempted another penalty corner without completion. Hollander seized the opportunity, which resulted in a blocked shot.
To end the successive plays, Simone tried one final penalty corner. After a quick foul on Quinnipiac, the Huskies were back to attempts on goal with senior forward Julia Bressler making a shot only to be blocked. Trying to give UConn a two-point lead, Simone made an effort at another penalty corner to no avail. After a period of back and forth between the two opponents, the Huskies’ junior midfielder Olivia McKenna knocked a fourth goal into the back of the net while assisted by Simone. The final quarter ended shortly after with a yellow card on Quinnipiac’s Brower and a shot going wide for the UConn Huskies.
With that final play, Connecticut ended their regular season with a 4-2 win. Next up, the Huskies will travel to Lynchburg, Va. for a dance in the Big East tournament. They will take on Old Dominion at 4 p.m. Friday afternoon.