The University of Connecticut’s field hockey team extended its win streak to seven games with a 4-0 win over Temple (5-7) on Friday.
The Huskies secured their third shutout of the season, while scoring at least four regulation goals for the first time since Aug. 30.
Sophomore midfielder Emma Larit opened the scoring 5:47 into the match, and from there UConn never trailed the rest of the way.
Senior midfielder Olivia McKenna, the reigning Big East Offensive Player of the Week, sparked the early score by dribbling the ball from beyond the 25-yard line into the circle.
McKenna attempted a cross that deflected off Temple’s junior goalkeeper Alex Lepore, who jumped out of her net as the ball batted around and landed perfectly for Larit, who slotted it into the back-right of the open goal for her second score of the season.
Temple threatened six minutes later, when it fired off two low-driven shots that had senior goalkeeper Natalie McKenna doing the splits for the saves.
UConn tacked on another with 8:11 remaining in the second quarter, where it executed a set piece to seemingly perfection off a penalty corner.
Junior defender Milou Heuker inserted the ball to freshman midfielder Charlotte Ritter at the top of the circle. Ritter dropped her stick flat to the turf, allowing freshman forward Lucy Zich to unleash a low drive toward the cage. What first looked like a direct shot attempt turned out to be a calculated pass, as a cutting McKenna timed her run perfectly to chip the ball over a diving Lepore into the back of the goal.
The Huskies defense completely shut down Temple for the entire quarter, as the Owls were unable to get a single shot off.
UConn wasted no time getting to work in the third, as Zich converted on a penalty corner 55 seconds into the half to extend the lead to three.
The set was as simple and routine as possible, as Heuker inserted to Ritter who performed a stick stop, slowing the ball for Zich who scored on a push shot. The goal marked Zich’s ninth of the season, tying her for third in the conference overall and for the most by any freshman alongside Liberty’s Clarisa Iudicello.
UConn put one more in the cage early in the fourth quarter, when junior forward Paige Keller scored unassisted on a breakaway for her first goal of the season.
To put the cherry on top, the Huskies were playing for much more than extending a win streak or preserving their perfect home record — every player was decked out in pink gear as they recognized Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
At halftime, the video board displayed players dedicating Friday’s game to a family member, friend or anyone else who has battled with breast cancer. It was a touching tribute in the midst of a vital conference game.
UConn improved to 4-0 in Big East play, currently sitting atop the conference standings with just two league matches left to play. The program is nearing its first perfect Big East regular season since 2019.
The Huskies can get one step closer on Friday when they travel to Washington, D.C. to take on Georgetown (4-9) who is still searching for their first win against a conference opponent.