University of Massachusets Athletics
Sunday, September 20
Albany, N.Y.
1:00 p.m.
University of Massachusetts
(8-0)
3
at
0
UAlbany
(3-4)
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| UAlbany | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
No. 6 Massachusetts Defeats UAlbany to Improve to 8-0
September 20, 2026 | Field Hockey
The Minutewomen have now outscored their opponents 36-5 on the season
ALBANY, N.Y. – Niamh McKenzie scored twice and the No. 6 University of Massachusetts field hockey team allowed just one shot on goal, as the Minutewomen improved to 8-0 with a 3-0 victory at UAlbany on a rainy Sunday afternoon. In the end, UMass picked up its third straight shutout, outscoring its opponents 15-0 in that span.
Eight games into 2026, the Minutewomen stand 8-0 for a second straight season. McKenzie has now scored goals in three straight games, scoring five in that stretch. She has three multi-goal games this season.
Defensively, UMass allowed a season-low one shot on goal, coming against a Great Danes' team that entered with a 3-2 record, was averaging 2.6 goals per game and hadn't been shut out. Since allowing two goals in the season-opening win against No. 8 Liberty, the Minutewomen have allowed just three goals over the last seven games.
"Our individual defending has improved, but I would say from a defensive structure standpoint, understanding our system and the spaces we need to be is really good," said head coach Barb Weinberg when asked what's been working on that end of the field. "It's about our team defense."
Along with McKenzie's two goals on Sunday, Kristy Leonard scored her third goal of the season. Elani Sherwood and Sophie Kent dished assists.
A defensive game saw just five first-half shots. UMass held a 2-0 shots edge after one and 3-2 advantage at the half.
Moments after Rozárie Mrázová made a stop late in the second quarter, McKenzie redirected a feed from Sherwood past Great Danes goalkeeper Merle Vaandrager for the 1-0 lead with just 1:57 until halftime.
McKenzie made it 2-0 just 1:21 into the third quarter, finishing off a stellar sequence of passing with a beautiful shot into the far corner.
"Niamh finds a way," said Weinberg. "She's got a variety of skills, whether she's ripping a shot, being at the end of a deflection or just putting something on goal," said Weinberg. "At the half, we talked about getting more shots on cage, and that's how we got our goals."
The Minutewomen held a dominant 6-0 edge in third-quarter shots, adding one more in the final minute of the stanza. After an Isla Campbell shot was saved, Leonard fired home the rebound for the 3-0 advantage.
UMass had the only two shots of the fourth in wrapping up the three-goal victory.
The final shot tally was 11-2 in favor of the Minutewomen. Both UAlbany shots came in the span of 2:05 in the second quarter, as the Great Danes were held shotless the rest of the game. Mrázová finished with one save for the shutout across UAlbany's Merle Vaandrager.
UMass remains on the road next weekend, traveling to Kent State on Friday (2 p.m.) and Central Michigan on Sunday (1 p.m.).
Eight games into 2026, the Minutewomen stand 8-0 for a second straight season. McKenzie has now scored goals in three straight games, scoring five in that stretch. She has three multi-goal games this season.
Defensively, UMass allowed a season-low one shot on goal, coming against a Great Danes' team that entered with a 3-2 record, was averaging 2.6 goals per game and hadn't been shut out. Since allowing two goals in the season-opening win against No. 8 Liberty, the Minutewomen have allowed just three goals over the last seven games.
"Our individual defending has improved, but I would say from a defensive structure standpoint, understanding our system and the spaces we need to be is really good," said head coach Barb Weinberg when asked what's been working on that end of the field. "It's about our team defense."
Along with McKenzie's two goals on Sunday, Kristy Leonard scored her third goal of the season. Elani Sherwood and Sophie Kent dished assists.
A defensive game saw just five first-half shots. UMass held a 2-0 shots edge after one and 3-2 advantage at the half.
Moments after Rozárie Mrázová made a stop late in the second quarter, McKenzie redirected a feed from Sherwood past Great Danes goalkeeper Merle Vaandrager for the 1-0 lead with just 1:57 until halftime.
McKenzie made it 2-0 just 1:21 into the third quarter, finishing off a stellar sequence of passing with a beautiful shot into the far corner.
The passing ??
— UMass Field Hockey (@UMassFH) September 20, 2026
The shot ??
What a goal from Niamh McKenzie, her second of the game??#Flagship ?? | #SCTop10 pic.twitter.com/TqPXv8xykG
"Niamh finds a way," said Weinberg. "She's got a variety of skills, whether she's ripping a shot, being at the end of a deflection or just putting something on goal," said Weinberg. "At the half, we talked about getting more shots on cage, and that's how we got our goals."
The Minutewomen held a dominant 6-0 edge in third-quarter shots, adding one more in the final minute of the stanza. After an Isla Campbell shot was saved, Leonard fired home the rebound for the 3-0 advantage.
UMass had the only two shots of the fourth in wrapping up the three-goal victory.
The final shot tally was 11-2 in favor of the Minutewomen. Both UAlbany shots came in the span of 2:05 in the second quarter, as the Great Danes were held shotless the rest of the game. Mrázová finished with one save for the shutout across UAlbany's Merle Vaandrager.
UMass remains on the road next weekend, traveling to Kent State on Friday (2 p.m.) and Central Michigan on Sunday (1 p.m.).
Players Mentioned
F
/ Field Hockey
M
/ Field Hockey
M
/ Field Hockey
F
/ Field Hockey
F
/ Field HockeyTeam Stats
MASS
UALB
Goals
3
0
Shots
11
2
Shots on Goal
7
1
Saves
1
3
Corners
2
2
Offsides
0
0
Fouls
0
0
Scoring Plays
Niamh McKenzie (7)
Assisted By: Elani Sherwood
GOAL by Massachusetts Niamh McKenzie (FIRST GOAL), Assist by Elani Sherwood, goal number 7 for season.
28:03
Niamh McKenzie (8)
Assisted By: Sophie Kent
GOAL by Massachusetts Niamh McKenzie, Assist by Sophie Kent, goal number 8 for season.
31:21
Kristy Leonard (3)
GOAL by Massachusetts Kristy Leonard, goal number 3 for season.
44:06
Game Leaders
Shots
2
SOG
2
Goals
2
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Friday, September 18
Tuesday, September 15
Monday, September 14
Sunday, September 13