Minutewomen Advance To NCAA Elite Eight With 2-1 Comeback Victory Over UConn

STORRS, CT. -- No. 14 Massachusetts (16-5, 7-0 A-10) turned up the pressure, mounting a thrilling 2-1 comeback victory over UConn (17-4, 6-1) in the NCAA First Round on Friday at Nancy Stevens Field. With the win, the Minutewomen advance to their seventh elite eight and first since 2013.

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We're dancing into Sunday ??#RollUMass x #Flagship?? pic.twitter.com/9JSBtgI6k9
— UMass Field Hockey (@UMassFH) November 15, 2024

The Minutewomen fell behind early in the first quarter of play, but were able to turn up the defensive pressure, finding two goals in the final 12 minutes of regulation to claim the NCAA Tournament victory. Massachusetts dominated the action for a majority of the second half, relying on a man-to-man press defense while claiming a 7-0 advantage in shots over the final 30 minutes.

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The Minutewomen are Elite Eight bound for the first time since 2013#RollUMass x #Flagship?? pic.twitter.com/lAEcAkkM85
— UMass Field Hockey (@UMassFH) November 15, 2024

Graduate Student Paula Lorenzini moved into the strike line position in the fourth quarter, scoring the equalizer for the Minutewomen off a well-placed assist from Alexa Collins. The Mendoza, Argentina native recorded a game-high three shots on the afternoon.

Senior Hannah de Gast continued to be a crucial player late in games, netting the game-winning goal off Massachusetts fourth and final penalty corner. The goal marked her sixth of the season and second game-winning score.

UConn was led by Juul who Sauer who scored one goal on two shots.

Breaking Down The Action

The Minutewomen recorded the games first shot as Elani Sherwood reined in a deflection and fired a shot that was just saved by UConn goalkeeper Natalie McKenna.
UConn capitalized on its first penalty corner of the afternoon, with Juul Sauer converting from the left side of the circle with 8:12 remaining in the first quarter.
The first 15 minutes of action ended with the Huskies holding a 3-1 advantage in shots.
Massachusetts drew its first penalty corner on the day just 1:48 into the second quarter of play, failing to generate a shot on the opportunity.
The Minutewomen went into the halftime break, facing a 1-0 deficit.
Massachusetts drew its second penalty corner of the afternoon, resulting in a shot from Elena Clococeanu just 2:13 into the third quarter.
The Minutewomen created a pair of strong scoring opportunities in the last 30 seconds of the third quarter, including a shot on goal from Kristy Leonard with 2:53 remaining.
Massachusetts went into the final 15 minutes still seeking an equalizer as UConn held a 4-3 advantage in total shots.
Hannah de Gast continued to keep the pressure on the Connecticut defense, firing a shot just wide with 12:45 on the clock.
Massachusetts drew it's third penalty corner of the game at the 12:27 mark of the fourth, resulting in a Lorenzini shot that just clipped the pad of UConn's McKenna.
Lorenzini found the Massachusetts equalizer just over a minute later, finishing an assist from Alexa Collins to make it 1-1 with 11:07 left in regulation.
The Minutewomen press defense continued to generate opportunities, as the Massachusetts drew another penalty corner with 5:31 on the clock.
Hannah de Gast converted the penalty corner opportunity finding space around the UConn goalkeeper near the baseline to give UMass a late 2-1 advantage.
The Huskies pulled their goalkeeper with 3:03 remaining but could not secure the equalizer, the final whistle blowing with the score 2-1 Massachusetts.

Notable Numbers

2: Massachusetts earned its second win versus UConn all-time in NCAA Tournament competition.
5: De Gast set a new single-season career high with her sixth goal of the season.
4: The Minutewomen held UConn to just four shots on the afternoon, including zero in the second half.
6: Massachusetts held a 6-3 advantage in shots on goal.
7: Lorenzini scored her seventh goal of the season.
27: The Minutewomen received their 27th A-10 Championship Final.

NCAA History

The Massachusetts field hockey program earned its 27th overall NCAA Tournament bid on selection Sunday, marking their first appearance since 2016.
Massachusetts now owns an overall record of 22-27 (.448) in the NCAA Tournament and a 8-16 (.333) mark in the first round.
The Minutewomen advanced to the first ever NCAA Field Hockey Championship Final in 1981, falling 4-1 to UConn in the inaugural final. The matchup is the lone NCAA Championship game appearance for Massachusetts.
Massachusetts has advanced to four NCAA Semifinals (1981, '83, '87, '92) and has now made seven elite eight appearances including back-to-back seasons on two separate occasions.
Massachusetts joined Saint Joseph's as the only two Atlantic 10 schools to receive NCAA Tournament bids this season.

Series History

With the victory, Massachusetts now holds a 16-40-3 record all-time against the Huskies.
Massachusetts now holds a 2-5 record all-time against UConn in the NCAA Tournament competition, last facing the Huskies on Nov. 10, 2007 in the opening round.
The two opponents faced each other earlier this season with UConn claiming a 1-0 victory at George J. Sherman Family Sports Complex in Storrs, CT.
Friday's matchup marked the seventh NCAA Tournament game between the two programs, with four coming in the opening round.

Up Next

The Minutewomen advance to the NCAA Elite Eight, facing Harvard on Sunday, Nov. 17 at 1:00 p.m. The game will be streamed on ESPN+ with links and live updates available on umassathletics.com or UMassFH on Twitter.

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