UConn field hockey team looks to recapture Big East championship Sunday
Big East Offensive Player of the Year Loren Sherer (24) is mobbed by teammates after the senior forward scored her second goal in the league championship semifinal game. Joining in the celebration are Jestine Angelini (28) and Melissa Gonzalez (9) who was named the Big East Defensive Player of the Year. Photo © 2009 by Vito J. Leo for HTNP.com
PROVIDENCE - UConn senior forward Loren Sherer showed why she was named Big East Offensive Player of the Year, scoring goals in both halves as the Huskies shut out Louisville, 2-0, Saturday afternoon to advance to the conference championship against Syracuse, the league’s top-seed.
Jestine Angelini was credited with an assist on both goals and Kim Krzyk also assisted on the first goal which came on a shot from the corner at the 26-minute mark.
Connecticut goalkeeper Andrea Mainiero only needed that one goal, but she certainly enjoyed the luxury of Sherer’s second score, which came early in the second half on a pass from Angelini off a penalty corner.
Louisville senior Heather Bustanoby was named Big East Goalkeeper of the Year for the 2009 season but UConn managed to get a pair of goals past her in Saturday's match. Photo © 2009 by Vito J. Leo for HTNP.com
The Huskies may be glad history repeated itself in Saturday’s match - UConn defeated Louisville for the third straight year in the semifinals - but 20-year Connecticut head coach Nancy Stevens is looking to change the course of history in the finals when her squad takes on Syracuse, as they did a year ago, when the Orange won 1-0.
The match begins at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 8, at the Friar Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex in Providence and will be streamed live on www.bigeast.tv.
UConn got past the Friars, 1-0, to win the 2007 Big East Championship.
Angelini showed her versatility by tacking on a defensive save to go along with her two assists. Rayell Heistand also chipped in with a save and Mainiero recorded a pair of goals at the net.
Mainiero and Sherer have a chance to set personal bests as they help the team try for a championship against Syracuse. After Saturday’s goose egg, Mainiero is now tied for most shutouts in school history and with her two goals, Sherer is one shy of tying the UConn single-season record for goals scored, 31.
Posted Nov. 8, 2009
Junior Melissa Gonzalez shows the fierce determination that helped earn her Big East Defensive Player of the Year honors for 2009. Photo © 2009 by Vito J. Leo for HTNP.com
Freshman Alicia Angelini tries to elude Louisville defender Tuli Lim. Photo © 2009 by Vito J. Leo for HTNP.com
The Huskies played an airtight defense to advance to the conference championship, often having defenders deploying double teams. Photo © 2009 by Vito J. Leo for HTNP.com
Junior midfielder Robin Kleine displayed some nifty stick work to get away from Louisville defender Rachel Hollenbach. Photo © 2009 by Vito J. Leo for HTNP.com
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