#12 University of Albany Field Hockey Earns Win Over #8 Stanford - UAlbany Sports 2014

Courtesy: UA Sports STANFORD, CALIF. – The University at Albany field hockey squad (6-1) earned its first program win over an NFHCA top-10 nationally ranked opponent on Sunday afternoon, downing No. 8 Stanford 1-0. Echo Bretz scored the gamewinner on a tip-in from Paula Heuser. “We had three or four really great chances, but the effort from our team today was outstanding,” said head coach Phil Sykes. “To come out of this trip with the time change and the heat with two shutouts over great teams is absolutely fantastic.” In a quick start for the Great Danes, Kelly Bonner fired wide in the opening moments of the game. After Stanford went the other way briefly, Anna Bottino took a shot that required a Cardinal defensive save with 12 minutes gone in the first. Shortly after Bretz tallied her first shot of the day, but the attempt was thwarted by Stanford’s goalkeeper. Both teams looked to make substitutions early and often on a hot day, with the Great Danes taking advantage early. The Purple & Gold earned its first penalty corner attempt with 15 minutes past in the first half. The opportunity resulted in a shot and subsequent save for Heuser. The Cardinal countered for a series of penalty corners on the other end, before a save by Maxi Primus sent the Great Danes down the field. With time expiring on the opening period, Heuser charged down the left side and found Bretz running onto the far-side post. Bretz redirected the pass into the cage to give UAlbany its 1-0 lead going into the break. Phil Sykes’s squad didn’t fall on its heels early in the second half, as Heuser had another opportunity stopped by a defensive save just five minutes into the period. The sophomore midfielder had three more shots saved by Stanford keeper Dulcie Davies in the opening moments of the half. All seven of Heuser’s shots in the game were on goal. With Heuser having her way in the offensive end, Stanford took a timeout just 10 minutes into the half to regroup. The timeout proved well timed, as the Great Danes picked up a yellow card five minutes later. The card left UAlbany one player down for five minutes at a critical point in the match. The back line responded with a strong defensive stand that allowed no shots while shorthanded. Phil Sykes called timeout shortly after the card time expired. Primus made a crucial save with 12 minutes left to maintain the 1-0 lead, and the Great Danes held on despite the Cardinal pulling their goalie with 3:30 left in regulation. Maxi Primus recorded her fifth shutout of the season to go with three saves. No. 12 UAlbany dominated the game in shots (7-2, 5-1 SOG) and penalty corners (6-2). The Purple & Gold did not allow a Stanford penalty corner in the second half. Heuser has now tallied 67 points for her career. The sophomore midfielder leads the team in points with 22, having tallied at least one point in six of seven games this season. UAlbany’s win ends Stanford’s unbeaten streak at six games, and hands the Cardinal their first shutout loss since Oct. 20 of last season when Stanford fell to then-No. 8 Duke in Durham. The Great Danes wrap up their five-game road test at No. 9 Virginia on Sunday, Sept. 21 at 1:00 p.m.