Massachusetts Edges Field Hockey, 2-1

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Amherst, Mass. – Katelyn Orlando and Makaela Potts each netted a goal off a penalty corner to lead Massachusetts to a 2-1 win over the 18th-ranked University at Albany field hockey team on Saturday afternoon at Garber Field. The Great Danes outshot the defending Atlantic 10 Conference champions by a count of 15-8 in the game and held a commanding 13-4 advantage in penalty corners, but UMass goalkeeper Alesha Widdall came through with 11 saves to help preserve the victory for the Minutewomen.

After a scoreless first half, Massachusetts (7-2) got on the scoreboard when Orlando tipped in a pass from Jackie Tait in the 48th minute of play. UMass doubled its lead when Potts shot the ball past UAlbany goalkeeper Ashley Ross just over eight minutes later. Following a penalty corner opportunity for the Great Danes, Nicole Savage cut the Minutewomen lead in half in the 68th minute when she potted the rebound off a shot taken by Michele Polizois.

UAlbany (5-5) had one more chance to score the equalizer and possibly force overtime in the 69th minute of action. However, Polizois’ shot off a penalty corner was saved by Widdall and cleared away by the UMass defense.

UAlbany’s Ross faced eight shots and made four saves in the losing effort. Widdall of UMass stopped 11 of the 15 shots taken by UAlbany to earn the victory.

The Great Danes will be back in action tomorrow afternoon when they host No. 15 Princeton at 2 p.m. on Alumni Turf Field. It will mark the third time that the squad will face a nationally-ranked opponent this fall.

#18 UAlbany (5-5) 0 1 - 1

Massachusetts (7-2) 0 2 - 2

UAlbany: Scoring – Nicole Savage (1-0). Goalkeeping: Ashley Ross (70:00, 2 GA, 4 saves).

Massachusetts: Scoring – Katelyn Orlando (1-0), Makaela Potts (1-0), Jackie Tait (0-1), Mary Shea (0-1), Erin Parker (0-1). Goalkeeping – Alesha Widdall (70:00, 1 GA, 11 saves).