Spring Break
Field hockey takes on surprising Albany on road
Chris Brodeur
Issue date: 10/10/08 Section: Sports
When an outbreak of norovirus - a stomach bug typically associated with cruise ships - struck Georgetown last weekend, the Hoyas' field hockey team had to scratch its scheduled trip to Storrs.
The No. 8 Huskies (10-1, 1-1 Big East) got an unexpected reprieve from the critical conference showdown for the time being (the game will be made up on Oct. 29), but it was hardly a weekend off for players and coaches.
"It's an unwelcome break for any athlete," said coach Nancy Stevens. "Having a game postponed is tough, but we had a real good scrimmage. We played as if it was a game and we really focused on our fitness. I'm not sure the players were thrilled about that."
In addition to putting an emphasis on fitness in practice, Stevens prepared her team for a meeting with Albany (7-7, 1-0 America East) on Sunday at Alumni Field in Albany, N.Y.
The Great Danes upset Michigan, 3-2, in Storrs on Sept. 19 as part of the Husky Invitational and have been ranked as high as No. 18 on the STX/NFCHA Division I National Coaches Poll. On Oct. 1, the team held a 1-0 lead over No. 2 Syracuse before falling 3-1 in a tightly contested game with the undefeated Orange.
Albany was not ranked in pre-season polls and has been somewhat of a revelation out of the America East conference, but Stevens, as always, expects a competitive matchup.
"Albany really has a good chance to win the conference," Stevens said. "They have a very strong team this year and we have a great deal of respect for them. We saw the game [against Michigan] and it was a great win for them."
At just beyond the halfway mark on the schedule, UConn's seniors lead the way towards the Huskies' third consecutive trip to the Final Four. The seniors are responsible for instilling a winning attitude as well as producing on both ends of the field. Lauren Aird and Lindsey Leck are first and second on the team in total points (23 and 19, respectively) and goalkeeper Andrea Mainero owns a miniscule goals against average of 1.47.
"It's basically the same team," Stevens said. "We have a really strong core of senior players who were fortunate enough to play in two Final Fours and we're 10-1, so we're doing well."
The team will be without talented sophomore forward Melissa Gonzalez on Sunday, who is finishing up a 10-day stint playing with the U21 Junior National Team in Mexico City. Gonzalez plays more like a veteran than her semester-standing would indicate, but Stevens feels her team is well equipped to handle her absence.
"Fortunately, it turned out to be a good coincidence [about Georgetown]," Stevens said. "She would have been away for the Georgetown match, a conference match. We've been rotating six players in the three forward positions and we have good depth, so we're fine. It gives another player a chance to start."
The No. 8 Huskies (10-1, 1-1 Big East) got an unexpected reprieve from the critical conference showdown for the time being (the game will be made up on Oct. 29), but it was hardly a weekend off for players and coaches.
"It's an unwelcome break for any athlete," said coach Nancy Stevens. "Having a game postponed is tough, but we had a real good scrimmage. We played as if it was a game and we really focused on our fitness. I'm not sure the players were thrilled about that."
In addition to putting an emphasis on fitness in practice, Stevens prepared her team for a meeting with Albany (7-7, 1-0 America East) on Sunday at Alumni Field in Albany, N.Y.
The Great Danes upset Michigan, 3-2, in Storrs on Sept. 19 as part of the Husky Invitational and have been ranked as high as No. 18 on the STX/NFCHA Division I National Coaches Poll. On Oct. 1, the team held a 1-0 lead over No. 2 Syracuse before falling 3-1 in a tightly contested game with the undefeated Orange.
Albany was not ranked in pre-season polls and has been somewhat of a revelation out of the America East conference, but Stevens, as always, expects a competitive matchup.
"Albany really has a good chance to win the conference," Stevens said. "They have a very strong team this year and we have a great deal of respect for them. We saw the game [against Michigan] and it was a great win for them."
At just beyond the halfway mark on the schedule, UConn's seniors lead the way towards the Huskies' third consecutive trip to the Final Four. The seniors are responsible for instilling a winning attitude as well as producing on both ends of the field. Lauren Aird and Lindsey Leck are first and second on the team in total points (23 and 19, respectively) and goalkeeper Andrea Mainero owns a miniscule goals against average of 1.47.
"It's basically the same team," Stevens said. "We have a really strong core of senior players who were fortunate enough to play in two Final Fours and we're 10-1, so we're doing well."
The team will be without talented sophomore forward Melissa Gonzalez on Sunday, who is finishing up a 10-day stint playing with the U21 Junior National Team in Mexico City. Gonzalez plays more like a veteran than her semester-standing would indicate, but Stevens feels her team is well equipped to handle her absence.
"Fortunately, it turned out to be a good coincidence [about Georgetown]," Stevens said. "She would have been away for the Georgetown match, a conference match. We've been rotating six players in the three forward positions and we have good depth, so we're fine. It gives another player a chance to start."
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