Field hockey out-stroked Nazareth and Utica Colleges this past week, giving themselves a winning record of 3-2. Rochester now takes a three-game winning streak into the core of the season.
The Yellowjackets outshined the Golden Flyers to a 3-0 shutout last Wednesday night at Nazareth. Rochester played a solid game, producing a steady offensive output throughout the game.
Senior Kristy Johnson scored the first goal 24 minutes into the first half for UR, assisted by freshman Lara Bucarey. After 6:21 of play in the second half, Bucarey continued on the offensive end, sending a shot past the Nazareth goalie and earning her first goal of the season. She was assisted by senior Celinda Fletcher. The third goal of the game was scored 11 minutes later by senior Revay Wilson off an assist from fellow senior Mary DiMatteo.
Junior goalie Rachel Cahan made three saves and allowed no goals in the game, obtaining her first shutout of the season.
Rochester had a total of 16 shots on goal and five penalty corners in the game.
The Yellowjackets sent a demoralizing blow to Utica College this past Sunday with a 4-1 victory – delivering Utica their third straight loss. DiMatteo tipped the first goal in off an assist from freshman Christi Bottcher within the first six minutes of the half.
Senior Amanda Iannello scored the only Utica goal at 10:23, assisted by junior Meghan Zaklukiewicz.
Botcher scored the second goal on a penalty stroke, firing the ball into the Utica goal at 44:05. UR capitalized on their third goal a mere minute later as Johnson launched the shot in at the back left post assisted by Fletcher. Fletcher scored the final goal off a penalty corner assisted by DiMatteo.
Utica outshot Rochester 17-14, but UR had 13 penalty corners to Utica’s 10.
Cahan made a perfectly calculated dive to knock away the first of two penalty shots. The second penalty shot in the game went high and wide to the left of Cahan’s goal. Cahan’s superb play and feline agility in goal clearly exhibits why she was named Liberty League Co-Defensive Performer last week. She made 13 saves in the game and gave up just one goal.
“Beating Utica was a huge accomplishment for us. They have always been a solid team. The fact that we have always lost to them for the past three years that I’ve been here made this win even sweeter,” senior Krista Butler said.
Coach Michelle Andre highlighted the on-field conversation that has been instrumental in the success of the team during its win streak. “When we have the ball and are talking to each other and giving directions we are a very good team,” Andre said. “This team has been playing together for a long time. They know each other’s style, but by us communicating it raises our level.”
“I believe that this team is starting to hit their stride. We are beginning to play the way we know we can play. Each game we are getting better and that is very exciting. That helps us tremendously going into the heart of our season with our conference play beginning this weekend,” Andre said, showing her confidence in the way the team has been playing as they head into their ensuing Liberty League match-ups.
Field hockey begins Liberty League play at home with two games this weekend. They play Friday versus St. Lawrence at 4 p.m. and Saturday against Hamilton College at 2 p.m.
Levy can be reached at jlevy@campustimes.org.
