Huskies Suffer OT Heartbreak in Big East Championship

Sunday, November 9

Lynchburg, VA

1:00 PM

University of Connecticut

(11-8)

Liberty

(17-2)

UConn

Liberty

11/9/2025 3:24:00 PM | Field Hockey

Box Score

LYNCHBURG, Va. — The UConn women's field hockey team fell to the no.1 seed Liberty in overtime of the Big East Championship by a final of 2-1. Zita Grigoleit scored the lone goal for the Huskies.

The game began with a strong defensive effort by the Huskies, highlighted by Zita Grigoliet's crucial defensive save at 8:03, stopping a shot from Liberty's Maite Altamirano. UConn's offense responded with a penalty corner at 12:31, resulting in shots by Fien Hollander and Julia Bressler, though both attempts were unsuccessful in finding the net. Despite the Huskies' defensive efforts, Liberty took the lead late in the first quarter with a goal by Morena Giacosa, capitalizing on a rebound. The quarter concluded with Liberty leading 1-0.

UConn rallied in the second quarter with a decisive goal by Grigoliet at the 23:47 mark, leveling the score at 1-1. The Huskies' defense, led by goalkeeper Natalie McKenna, effectively held off Liberty's offensive efforts, including several penalty corners and shots on goal. Despite Liberty's persistent attacks, UConn maintained the draw through the end of the quarter. The scoreboard reflected a 1-1 tie as the quarter concluded.

UConn applied consistent pressure in the third quarter, generating multiple scoring opportunities. Bressler initiated an early attack with a blocked shot at 30:22, followed by attempts from Lene Bujes and Sol Simone that narrowly missed the target. During this intense quarter, a goal by Julia Bressler was overturned after a review, which kept the score tied at 1. UConn continued to press with two penalty corners executed by Milou Heuker, though efforts by Pien Prins and Hollander were thwarted by Liberty's defense. Despite their offensive efforts, UConn was unable to break the deadlock, ending the quarter with the score tied 1-1.

UConn maintained pressure in the fourth quarter, highlighted by multiple penalty corners initiated by senior Sol Simone. Despite aggressive attempts, including shots by Hollander and Bressler, Liberty's defense held strong, with goalkeeper Diane Saint Martin making crucial saves. The quarter ended with neither team breaking the tie resulting in a sudden death overtime period to determine the BIG EAST Champion.

In the overtime period, both teams battled, but following a penalty corner by Liberty, the Flames were able to find the back of the net, securing the 2-1 win and the Big East Championship.

The Huskies will now wait to see if their name is called on the NCAA Selection show tonight at 10pm.