UConn's Rally Falls Short in Overtime; Lose 4-3 in BIG EAST Tournament Final
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CHESTNUT HILL, MA (November 9) -- Down 3-0 in the second
half of the BIG EAST Tournament championship game, the University of Connecticut
field hockey team battled back to tie the score at three, but eventually fell
4-3 to Boston College in overtime. With the loss, UConn slips to 16-5 on the
season, while BC improves to 15-6.
The game-winner came 8:22 into overtime. BC controlled the
ball at midfield and Kim French was able to find a seam in the Husky defense and
dish the ball to Kelly Bronwen at the top of the circle. Bronwen whipped around
and drilled a shot into the lower right corner, just past a diving Maureen
Butler (Red Hook, NY).
Just three minutes prior to the Eagles’ game-winner, the
Huskies came within inches of taking home the championship hardware. Senior
Mary Jo Malone (Water Mill, NY) found an opening down the far side and crossed
the ball to a cutting Laura Puddle (London, England) who struck a shot that
looked ticketed for the back of the net. However BC keeper Lauren Hill, went
low and made a fantastic save, kicking the ball out of harm’s way with the very
end of her boot to preserve the 3-3 tie.
Boston College scored two goals in the first half, and
added another with 29:48 remaining in the second session to go up 3-0. UConn
mounted its charge 2:30 later when sophomore Becky Helwig (Madison, NJ) got the
Huskies on the board. Lauren Henderson (Avondale Harare, Zimbabwe) drilled a
shot off a penalty corner that was saved by Hill. Helwig collected the rebound
and stuffed it in the goal, making the score 3-1. With 20:19 to go, Henderson
drew the Huskies within one score.
After a UConn foul, BC played the ball back into its own
circle. Henderson read the play perfectly and intercepted the ball at the top
of the circle. Running away from the goal, Henderson blasted a backhand inside
the near post and the Huskies were rolling.
The game-tying goal came in dramatic fashion with just
under five minutes remaining in regulation. Henderson struck a shot during a
penalty corner that was redirected past the goalie by Puddle to knot the score
up at three.
Virginia Drozd scored BC’s first goal and Sara York scored
the next two to give the Eagles a 3-0 advantage.
Butler made five saves for UConn while Hill turned away
five Husky shots.
UConn will await its fate from the NCAA
Selection Committee. Seedings and pairings for the 2003 NCAA Field Hockey
Championship will be announced Tuesday, November 11 at 8:00 p.m.
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