No. 13 Field Hockey Extends Record to 5-0 With 4-0 Win Over Rutgers

ALBANY, N.Y.- University at Albany field hockey (5-0) is off to its best start in the Division I era after beating Rutgers 4-0 at Alumni Field on Sunday afternoon.

“We played inspired today,” said head coach Phil Sykes. “Rutgers beat us in our first game last season, so I think that loss still stung. We played focused, and we had a good team defensive effort.”

Echo Bretz tallied the first Great Danes goal in the ninth minute off a rebound from Paula Heuser. Kelly Bonner gave UAlbany a 2-0 lead going into half time on a breakaway pass from Emily White.

Corrine McConville converted on her third penalty stroke of the season in the 50th minute. The senior assisted a goal scored by Paula Heuser in the 56th minute on a penalty corner rebound.

Freshman Maxi Primus made seven saves in the cage for the Great Danes. Primus has allowed just three goals in five games.

In a physical match-up, UAlbany out-shot Rutgers 14-10, while Rutgers held a 6-4 advantage in penalty corners. The teams combined for nine penalty corners in the second half and just one in the first period.

No. 13 UAlbany opens the season 5-0 for the first time under head coach Phil Sykes.  Sophomore Liza Morgan and freshman Paula Heuser have each tallied 12 points this season to lead the Great Danes on offense.

Next up for UAlbany is a mid-week game at Alumni Field against cross-town rival Siena on Wednesday at 3 p.m.