A focused field hockey team took to the road this past week winning all three games they played. They improved to a record of 8-4 and currently hold a four game winning streak.
The week of play started out with two Liberty Legaue games against Vassar College and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Then UR wrapped up the week with a game against SUNY Geneseo on Tuesday.
The Yellowjackets shut down the Vassar College Brewers on Friday for a 2-0 victory. UR put forth a strong defensive showing stopping the Brewers offense from making their way inside the “D.” Vassar was shotless in the game, never reaching junior goalie Rachel Cahan. UR freshman Lara Bucarey scored the first goal in the second half at 64:42 assisted by junior Kari Plewniak. The second goal was scored just over four minutes later by senior Kristy Johnson and assisted by Plewniak. UR outshot Vassar 14-0 and had a total of 13 penalty corners. This is the third shut out of the year for Yellowjackets’ field hockey.
As the season progresses, the field hockey team has shown a very strong defense. Much of this can be attributed to Coach Michelle Andre’s doctrine on defense.
“My philosophy on defense is everyone will know how to get the ball back. Defensively we are solid. We have a very experienced backfield,” Andre said. “They generate a lot of turnovers and have the ability to go on the attack very quickly. Going into transition from our defensive end is something we are very good at. It has been a strength of ours for a few years now.”
On Saturday, the ‘Jackets took on RPI, beating them 2-1. UR scored two goals early in the first half which would hold up for the win. Plewniak scored the first goal at 7:42 assisted by senior Mary DiMatteo. Johnson followed that up four minutes later with a second goal for the ‘Jackets unassisted. RPI held the shot advantage 12-8 and UR had 10 penalty corners. Goalie Cahan had five saves and allowed one goal.
After these two Liberty League games UR is now 3-2 in league play and is ranked third out of eight teams.
This past Tuesday the team went on to outscore SUNY Geneseo by a 4-1 margin. At 19:45, DiMatteo opened up the scoring for UR assisted by sophomore Katie Moll. In the second half, at 43:22, the Yellowjackets continued the scoring with a goal by Johnson assisted by freshman Lara Bucarey. Johnson would then go on to score her second goal of the game less than six minutes later assisted by senior Celinda Fletcher. Senior Revay Wilson finished off the scoring, sending the last shot into the goal at 64:54 assisted by Plewniak. Geneseo outshot UR 11-10 but the ‘Jackets led 14-7 in penalty corners. UR goalie Cahan made seven saves, with one slipping by.
After scoring three goals this week Johnson takes over the lead as top scorer on the team with a total of seven goals.
“Kristy just doesn’t stop until the ball is in the back of the cage,” Andre said. “She is a great deflector and creates an enormous amount of shot opportunities. She is one of the best finishers on the team.”
UR battles the Houghton College Highlanders this Thursday at 4 p.m.
Levy can be reached at jlevy@campustimes.org.
