Huskies Take Down #9 Rutgers, Improve to 4-0
PISCATAWAY, New Jersey – Behind late game heroics from junior Sol Simone, the UConn women's field hockey team takes down no.9 Rutgers by a final of 2-1. Simone scored with 33 seconds remaining in the game to propel the Huskies to victory.
The first quarter was a defensive battle with neither team able to find the back of the net. The Huskies were primed to jump out to the early lead after junior Sol Simone scored after stealing the ball and taking it the length of the field, however the officials ruled no goal following a foul that occurred before the show. Towards the end of the first, Rutgers threatened to score, but the Huskies defense and sophomore goalkeeper Natalie McKenna stood strong as both teams entered the quarter break scoreless.
The second quarter continued to be a defensive battle between both teams. The Huskies continued to push the tempo and pressure the Scarlet Knights, but the Rutgers defense/goalkeeping continued to make timely saves. Rutgers threatened midway through the second as they were awarded the first penalty corner of the afternoon, but the Huskies defense stepped up to the task and thwarted the opportunity and the teams would enter the half still scoreless.
The third quarter began, and UConn's offense came alive and opened the scoring. The Huskies pressure and tempo paid off as they were awarded a penalty corner. On the corner it was freshman Sophie Perschk who fired the ball through the defense and past the goalkeeper for the first goal of the match. Let in the third quarter, Rutgers would respond with a goal of their own to tie the game. After a lengthy review by officials, the goal was confirmed and both teams entered the final frame tied at one.
In a back and forth fourth quarter, it was the Huskies who found the back of the net to take the 2-1 lead. With under a minute remaining in the game, the Huskies were awarded a penalty corner, and the offense went to work. After being denied on the initial corner attempt, the Huskies stuck with it and eventually the ball found junior Sol Simone in front with 30 seconds left for the tip in goal. Rutgers did not back down as they instantly went on the attack and with seven seconds remaining in the game, they were awarded a penalty corner. The Huskies defense and sophomore goalkeeper Natalie McKenna stepped up denying the first attempt, however as time expired the Scarlet Knights were awarded another penalty corner. The Huskies once again stepped up to the task and denied Rutgers and cleared the ball for the win.
With the win, UConn notches their second win over a ranked opponent and improves to 4-0 on the season.
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