UAlbany Field Hockey Takes Commanding 7-0 Victory Over Hofstra in Season Opener - UAlbany Sports 2014

Courtesy: UA Sports ALBANY, N.Y. – University at Albany field hockey (1-0) opened 2014 in swift fashion on Friday afternoon with a 7-0 win over Hofstra (0-1). The 2013 America East Midfielder and Rookie of the Year Paula Heuser led the Great Danes with seven points (3g, 1a). “I was very happy with our team balance today,” said head coach Phil Sykes. “We had a lot of energy, and with new players in their first game I thought we had good energy and we trusted each other. The way we moved the ball today is a good sign for the rest of the season.” Senior Echo Bretz got 2014 rolling with the first Purple & Gold tally in the sixth minute. Freshman Anna Bottino found the senior forward in front of the net after making her way down the left side. Bottino’s assist was her first career point. Two minutes later Fiori Van Rijswijk inserted a penalty corner stopped by Laura Page. Paula Heuser blasted the penalty corner attempt down the middle to give UAlbany a 2-0 lead. Heuser took the ball herself mid-way through the first half on her own rebound for her second goal of the game. Freshman Kelsey Briddell notched her first career goal as a Great Dane from Heuser in the 20th minute. Heuser made her way through a crowd of Pride defenders to find Briddell at the goal line. Fellow classmate Bottino scored her first career goal to close scoring in the first half. The freshman midfielder fired a shot from the left side of the circle to give UAlbany a 5-0 lead at the break. Hofstra came out strong after UAlbany got comfortable to start the second half. The Pride nearly tallied a goal with 10 minutes gone in the second half, but Jordyn Homyak stepped in to make the defensive save and maintain momentum. The rookies combined for the sixth goal, with Briddell recording the tally and Bottino earning the assist. Briddell earned her first assist less than one minute later on a service to Heuser. The freshman forward found herself deep on the Hofstra end line before splitting two defenders for the Heuser goal. Maxi Primus took her first shutout win in the cage with two saves. The sophomore didn’t see her first shot on goal until there were five minutes remaining in the first half. The Great Danes continue a three-game homestand with Bryant on Sunday at 1:00 p.m