Field Hockey Shut Out By No. 10 Connecticut

Sept. 23, 2006

AMHERST, Mass. - Freshman goalkeeper Sarah Williams (Colorado Springs, Colo.) made 18 saves in her first collegiate start, but 10th-ranked Connecticut (7-2) defeated Massachusetts (2-7) 6-0 Saturday afternoon in the home opener at Garber Field. The Huskies took advantage of an undermanned UMass team and scored four late goals while out-shooting the Minutewomen 29-2. The Huskies also had nine penalty corners to the Minutewomen's two.

UMass played the game with just 12 players. Five members of the team were suspended for a violation of team rules, while sophomore Erin Parker (South Deerfield, Mass.) is out after breaking a bone in her leg last Wednesday against Dartmouth. Williams made her first collegiate start in goal, while junior goalkeeper Becky Letourneau (Greenfield, Mass.) played the game in the field for the first time in her career. She was UMass' only substitute in the game as eight of the 11 starters played all 70 minutes.

Connecticut took advantage of the undermanned UMass team and dominated the first half. The Huskies had 13 shots, but eight saves by Williams kept the Minutewomen in the game. UConn out-shot UMass 13-0 in the half and held a 2-0 lead at halftime. The first UConn goal was scored with 23:34 left as Lauren Aird back-handed a shot past Williams from the left side of the circle. Lizzy Peijs was credited with an assist on the play. 10 minutes later, the same duo struck again. This time, it was Peijs who scored from Aird after the Huskies made a couple of passes following a penalty corner.

UConn had three corners in the half and several great scoring chances, but some big saves by Williams kept it just a two-goal deficit.

The Huskies continued to dominate the offensive play in the second half. With 23:11 left, UConn's Mandy Odenbach picked up a loose ball in the circle and fired it past Williams making it 3-0. A few minutes later, Lindsey Leck took advantage of a UMass turnover deep in their zone and scored to make it 4-0. The Huskies added another goal a few minutes later when Meagan Hoffman took advantage of another UMass turnover and beat Williams with a shot to the left side of the cage. Her initial shot was saved by Williams, but the rebound went right back to her and she was able to put it past Williams. UMass called a timeout with 18:07 left in regulation and Connecticut now with a 5-0 lead.

With 16:28 left in regulation, the Minutewomen were awarded their first corner of the game. They took advantage with a great scoring opportunity. Freshman Cher King (Christ Church, Barbados) faked a shot and passed down low to sophomore Katelyn Orlando (Manchester, Mass.) on the near-side post. Orlando tried to one-time the ball in, but UConn goalkeeper Andrea Mainiero was there to make the save. It was UMass' first shot of the game.

Junior Kara Murphy (Dedham, Mass.) worked to get the Minutewomen another corner a few minutes later, but UMass was unable to get a shot off. Murphy did have a shot that was saved before the corner was called.

The Minutewomen's season-long, eight-game homestand continues Tuesday night against Siena at 7:00 PM. If you can't make it out to Garber Field, a live audio broadcast of the game will be available beginning at 6:45 PM on www.umassathletics.com. Live stats will also be available via Gametracker at www.umassathletics.com.

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ORLANDO Katelyn

MURPHY Kara

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University of Massachusets Athletics