Sept. 11, 2009

Box Score

ALBANY, N.Y. - Junior captain Katie Kelly scored with 23:08 left in the game to lead #15 UMass field hockey (3-1) to a 1-0 victory over Albany (3-1) in the rain on Friday afternoon at Alumni Field. The Minutewomen defense, led by goalie Alesha Widdall's five saves, came up huge as they were outshot, 18-9, and outcornered, 23-5. Justine Sowry's squad remains in Albany for a 2:30 match-up on Saturday against #12 James Madison.

UMass drew the first penalty corner of the game less than two minutes in, but the Great Danes would then run off six straight penalty corners. Albany would finish the half with an 11-5 shots advantage and a 10-2 corner advantage.

The Great Danes picked up where they left off by winning three penalty corners in the first two minuntes of the second half, but as the rain intensified early in the half, so to did the Minutewomen's play.

Kate Heineman had UMass' first good scoring opportunity of the second half, but Albany goalkeeper Kristi Troch made the save on the freshman midfielder.

Just two minutes later, Kelly worked the ball into the top of the circle and won UMass' first penalty corner of the half. After Makaela Potts' initial shot was stopped, Kelly pounced on the rebound and tucked it inside the right post with 23:08 left on the clock. The goal was her second of the season.

Corners for the Great Danes and UMass' ability to thwart those scoring opportunities continued to be the story over the duration of the contest. A key corner came with 18 minutes remaining when Widdall made two saves in succession to keep the shutout.

Widdall, along with Potts and Jaime Bourazeris on defense, continued to play strong over the closing minutes as the sophomore goalkeeper earned her second shutout of the season and ninth of her career.

Jill Powers led UMass with three shots, while the Great Danes were led by Tegan Brown and Inge Baijens with five shots each.