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No. 20 Field Hockey Comes Up Short Against No. 2 UConn, 4-1
October 25, 2015 | Field Hockey
BOX SCORE
STORRS, Conn. – Maddie Copeland gave the 20th-ranked Princeton University field hockey team an early lead and Anya Gersoff finished with six saves, but the Tigers could not hold on against No. 2 Connecticut, ultimately falling to the Huskies at the George J. Sherman Family Sports Complex, 2-1.
Trailing 1-0 at the intermission, UConn netted four unanswered goals in the second half to remain unbeaten at 17-0. Dropping to 8-6 (5-0 Ivy) on the season, Princeton also held a 1-0 halftime lead over No. 1 Syracuse (16-0) last Sunday before coming up short, 4-2.
Applying the pressure early, UConn created several scoring chances in the game's opening minutes. Putting the game's first shot on target, Charlotte Veitner tested Gersoff with a try from the near post. In the fourth minute, Veitner nearly put the Huskies ahead, rattling a shot off the left post.
Gaining possession at the eight-minute mark, Princeton quickly countered. Getting the play started, Sophia Tornetta played a long outlet to Maddie Copeland on the left side. In behind the UConn backline, Copeland took a couple of quick touches before backhanding a low shot past Nina Klein at 8:15.
Copeland's score was the first against the Huskies in the first half of a game this season. The goal also snapped a streak of 572:02 consecutive scoreless minutes from the UConn defense. Posting eight-straight shutouts entering the contest, the Huskies last gave up a goal at the 66:13 mark of a 3-2 win over Stanford on Sept. 25.
Going back on the offensive, UConn earned four-consecutive penalty corners in the 13th minute, but could not put a shot on goal. Veitner had a golden opportunity to break through in the 20th minute, but Gersoff made a diving save at the far post to keep the Huskies off the board. In the 29th minute, Veitner again created a chance, but sent the would-be equalizer over a sprawling Gersoff and the Tigers' cage.
Still looking for an equalizer in the 44th minute, Amelia Iacobucci carried it up the right side. Moving into the circle, Iacobucci put another shot on goal from point-blank range, but Gersoff was once again up to the task, turning away the try to momentarily preserve the Princeton lead.
After a Veitner shot once again found Gersoff's blocker at 47:45, UConn finally broke through. Coming off a penalty corner in the 50th minute Amanda Collins redirected a Roisin Upton shot into the Princeton cage at 49:29.
With Klein making a kick save on a Ryan McCarthy shot following Princeton's first penalty corner of the afternoon, UConn quickly regained possession. Moving into the Tigers' circle in the 55th minute, the Huskies drew another penalty corner. Ending up with Veitner's insert at the top of the circle, Upton powered a shot part Gersoff at 54:35 to put the home team ahead.
Tacking on an insurance goal, Upton struck again on a penalty corner, netting the Huskies third goal at 58:14. Veitner closed out the scoring at 68:59 to make it 4-1. UConn finished with a 21-5 shot advantage and a 12-2 edge in penalty corners.
The Tigers return to action on Wednesday, Oct. 28 against St. Joseph's.