University of Connecticut Athletics
Huskies Fall in Opening Game of 2001 Season
8/25/2001 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – In its first match-up of the 2001 season, the University of Connecticut field hockey team fell to the University of North Carolina, 4-0, at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY.
The Tar Heels, who finished the 2000 season ranked second in the National Field Hockey Coaches Association poll and were ranked second in the 2001 preseason poll struck first off a goal by Tar Heel senior Abby Martin. Senior Abbey Woolley, freshman Kelsey Keeran and senior Susan Hayes added UNC’s final three goals.
“We felt we really competed with them,” head coach Nancy Stevens said. “They had a national team goalie, and she was very stingy defensively. She’s the best goalie we’ll face all year.”
Despite the Tar Heels tough defense, freshman Lauren Henderson from Avondale Harare, Zimbabwe, making a start in her first game as a Husky, tallied three shots, while junior Maureen Butler defended in the goal with 11 saves for the game.
“Mo was very solid for us today,” Stevens said.
The game, which drew a crowd of nearly 1,000 people, was a bright spot for the young UConn team.
“There were a great number of positives in the game for us,” Stevens said. “We out-cornered Carolina six to four. In the first half we didn’t give up one defensive corner. We were very strong, plus it was very special to play in front of a crowd like that.”
The Huskies will take this experience into the Husky Classic next weekend, where they will take on St. Joseph’s on Saturday and Albany on Sunday. Both games are schedule for 11:30 a.m. at the George J. Sherman Family-Sports Complex.
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