University of Albany Field Hockey Moves On To America East Championship Game With Win Over UNH - UAlbany Sports 2009

Senior forward Nicole Savage assisted on two goals to lead #17 UAlbany to a 3-0 win over New Hampshire in the first semifinal game of the America East Conference Championship at Alumni Turf Field on Friday afternoon. With the win, the Great Danes advance to the championship game for the second straight year.

After a scoreless first half, freshman all-rookie team member Inge Baijens broke the 0-0 tie for UAlbany, netting an unassisted goal just two minutes into the second stanza. Baijens dribbled in from the right side of the circle and took a hard reverse stick shot that zipped past New Hampshire goalkeeper Katherine Nagengast.

All-rookie midfielder Tegan Brown doubled the score for the Great Danes in the 53rd minute on a penalty corner, taking assists from Savage and Jess Lindsey with a hard shot from the top of the circle. UAlbany finished out the scoring at 59:35, as sophomore Christina Patrick took a pass from Savage inside the circle and found the back of the cage.

UAlbany outshot the Wildcats, 14-7 and held a slight 6-5 advantage in penalty corners. Nagengast finished with six saves for New Hampshire (12-7). Christine Hoffman made one save in the cage for the Great Danes in the first half, while Kristi Troch played the second half without having to stop a New Hampshire shot.

UAlbany (13-4) will face the winner of #2 Boston U. on Saturday at 4 p.m. The Terriers defeated Maine, 5-2, in the second semifinal on Friday.

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New Hampshire (12-7) 0 0 - 0

UAlbany (13-4) 0 3 - 3

New Hampshire: Scoring - None. Goalkeeper - Katherine Nagengast (70:00, 3 GA, 6 saves).

UAlbany: Scoring - Inge Baijens (1-0), Tegan Brown (1-0), Christina Patrick (1-0), Nicole Savage (0-2), Jess Lindsey (0-1). Goalkeepers - Christine Hoffman (35:00, 0 GA, 1 save), Kristi Troch (35:00, 0 GA, 0 saves).