Heuser, Page Break All-Time University of Albany Field Hockey Program Records in 4-2 Victory at Yale - UAlbany Sports 2014

Courtesy: UA Sports

NEW HAVEN, CONN. – Despite a slow start on Sunday afternoon, No. 13 University at Albany field hockey (15-2, 4-0 AE) came away with a 4-2 win at Yale (2-13). The victory marks the ninth straight for UAlbany, in a three-way tie for the longest winning streak in the nation. Paula Heuser and Laura Page each topped an all-time single season offensive category.

"It was a tough game, and Yale played well," said head coach Phil Sykes. "We battled back, and I'm proud of Laura [Page] and Paula [Heuser] for breaking two long-standing records today."

Yale got out to an early 2-0 shot advantage at home, and with its first penalty corner of the game took a 1-0 lead.

The Great Danes responded with a series of penalty corners of their own, but Pahila Arnold and Heuser had their attempts stopped. In seven penalty corners during the first half, UAlbany failed to convert and went into the break down 1-0.

Heuser quickly took control in the second period, firing on all cylinders on an early penalty corner. The sophomore scored on the set piece from Fiori Van Rijswijk and Laura Page. The goal marked her 22nd of the season, and her 51st point. With the score, Heuser became the all-time single season leader in points. The midfielder passed UAlbany Division II powerhouse Tovah Atwell, who has held the record since 1998 with 50 points.

With the game tied, the Purple & Gold continued to battle in the circle for penalty corners. After recording seven shots in the first half, Yale failed to fire on-target in the second period.

Heuser spread the wealth on a penalty corner in the 53rd minute, as the sophomore found Van Rijswijk for the tally. Van Rijswijk notched a new single-game career high with five points against the Bulldogs. The tally for the 2-1 lead was also her fourth game-winner of 2014.

Just six minutes later, Heuser gave the Great Danes some breathing room with another penalty corner slam from Page and Van Rijswijk. With the assist, Page became the all-time single season leader in assists. The junior tallied her 20th for the 3-1 lead to break a nine-year old record.

The penalty corner trio teamed up for one last goal in the 63rd minute. Yale slid one past the Great Danes defense shortly after, but UAlbany held on for its ninth straight win.

Two other teams in Division I field hockey have a nine game winning streak, No. 2 Maryland and No. 3 Stanford. UAlbany handed Stanford its only loss of the season in Palo Alto on Sept. 14, 1-0.

Paula Heuser is now the all-time single season leader in points, smashing a record that stood for nearly 20 years. Her 56 points come off 24 goals and eight assists. Heuser is already the all-time single season leader in goals. She has 101 points for her career, ranking tied for second in Division I program history after just two seasons. The German ranks tied for second with former teammate Corrine McConville and current UAlbany assistant Michelle Simpson.  

Laura Page now has 21 assists in 2014, setting a new all-time record in single-season assists. She has 45 for her career, and is six shy of becoming the all-time leader in the category.

Four Great Danes have 20 points or more this season, including Heuser (56), Van Rijsiwjk (24), Page (23) and Anna Bottino (20).

No. 13 UAlbany field hockey concludes the regular season at Vermont (3-14, 1-3 AE) on Friday, Oct. 31 at 3:00 p.m.