#14 University of Albany Field Hockey Dominates UNH 5-0 to Win America East Championship - UAlbany Sports 2014

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports

ALBANY, N.Y. – No. 14 University at Albany field hockey (18-2) won its fourth America East title with a 5-0 victory against New Hampshire (10-12) on Saturday afternoon. The Great Danes have now won 12 straight games, and have their all-time highest single season win total.

“The tough thing in a conference tournament is the pressure,” said head coach Phil Sykes. “It’s easy to get here and be overwhelmed or stressed; but today our team was calm and composed. All the things we worked on during the year we executed, and that was our strength today.”

The Great Danes wasted no time getting on the board, as Paula Heuser found Pahila Arnold for the tip-in on the team’s second penalty corner of the game.

The Wildcats failed to register a shot for the first 30 minutes of the game, as the Great Danes shot nine including six looks on goal unanswered to take a 2-0 lead into halftime. The Purple & Gold held a 5-2 advantage in penalty corners.

With UAlbany one player down to open the second half, Maxi Primus made a number of crucial saves to maintain the lead. Three consecutive penalty corners by the Wildcats came up empty in the first 10 minutes.

Heuser continued to exert control through the midfield after the Great Danes were back to 11 players, registering two shots on penalty corners in the 47th minute.

The sophomore America East Midfielder of the Year converted on a give-and-go play off of a penalty corner with 25 minutes left in the half to give UAlbany a 3-0 lead. Senior Amy Nicklin found Heuser in the circle for the assist.

The Great Danes scored two more goals in the next four minutes. Heuser streaked down the field to score unassisted, followed by a goal from Echo Bretz. Laura Page worked down the left side to find Bretz in front of the net for a 5-0 lead.

Primus recorded her 10th shutout of the season, as well as matching a season high with six saves against the Wildcats.

UAlbany field hockey will learn its NCAA Tournament fate on Sunday at 10:00 p.m., ET on NCAA.com.