University of Albany's Heuser Becomes Program’s All-Time Single Season Rookie Scoring Leader in 5-1 Win Against UMass Lowell

 

LOWELL, MASS.-  Freshman midfielder Paula Heuser became the UAlbany field hockey program’s all-time single-season leader in scoring amongst rookies in the team’s final regular season game of the year. The No. 15 Great Danes downed UMass Lowell 5-1.

Heuser scored two goals in the victory, passing current assistant coach Michelle Simpson on the rookie scoring leaderboard. The freshman has now scored 16 goals this season to lead the team in goals and points with 42.

Liza Morgan opened scoring for the Great Danes in the 21st minute. Heuser collected a rebound and found Morgan for the goal. Morgan scored her 10th goal of the season to become the third Great Dane with 10 or more goals in 2013.

The Purple & Gold struck again in the 30th minute on a penalty corner. Heuser smacked in an insertion from Fiori Van Rijswijk for her first goal of the match. Van Rijswijk’s assist was her ninth of the season to rank her tied for second on the team. Heuser nearly scored her second goal from Van Rijswijk to close the half, but the River Hawks made a defensive save on the attempt.

UAlbany continued to pound the UMass Lowell cage in the second period. Kelly Bonner and Daphne Voormolen both took shots early in the half, with the River Hawks making defensive saves to keep the game close.

Molly Mariano widened the gap for the Great Danes in the 54th minute, scoring unassisted to make the score 3-0.

Heuser struck again one minute later unassisted. The freshman streaked through the circle to beat the UMass Lowell goalkeeper and find the back of the cage.

Voormolen scored the final goal for the Great Danes, beating the UMass Lowell goalkeeper one-on-one for the tally.

“We had a good game today,” said head coach Phil Sykes. “UMass Lowell started off playing well, and they really took it to us in the first half. I’m proud of the team for going 15-4 in the regular season, and we’re looking forward to the America East Tournament next week.”

The Great Danes posted their best regular season program record in the Division I ranks at 15-4. UAlbany will enter the America East Tournament as the No. 2 seed for the second consecutive year, facing No. 3 seed Maine. The seeding for the tournament, set to kick off in Durham, N.H., on Thursday at 2 p.m., is identical to last year’s America East field. New Hampshire is the No. 1 seed, with Maine falling into the No. 3 spot and Fairfield competing in the No. 4 slot. UAlbany won last year’s America East tournament in Durham.