University of Connecticut Athletics
Huskies Triumph Over Villanova in BIG EAST Opener
9/20/2003 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
STORRS, CT (September, 20) –- Senior Mary Jo Malone (Water Mill, NY) scored two more goals bringing her season total to a team-high nine, as The University of Connecticut field hockey team rolled past Villanova in the BIG EAST opener for both teams. With the victory UConn’s record runs to 5-2 including a perfect 4-0 at the George J. Sherman Family Sports Complex. The Wildcats slip to 4-4 on the season.
UConn took control of the game early as junior forward Lauren Henderson (Avondale Harare, Zimbabwe) notched the Huskies’ first goal. Henderson and Kelly Stolle (Warren, CT) beat the Villanova defense down the field and had only one ‘Cat defender to beat. Stolle dribbled up the right side made Villanova goalie Erin Scott commit and dished to Henderson who was streaking up the middle. Henderson controlled the pass in the circle and slapped a backhand into the empty net only three minutes into the game.
Villanova hung in for the remainder of the first half, holding the Huskies to only five shots in the stanza and managing three for themselves. However, UConn dominated the Wildcats in the second session, out shooting Villanova 8-to-1. Stolle fired the ball into the circle off of a side-in, finding Malone who rifled it in from six feet for her first score of the day. Malone also tallied a goal at 67:29 when she redirected a shot by Lyndsay Thomson (Newburyport, MA) past Scott. Freshman Megan Hoffman also got in on the action as she scored her first career goal at 62:05. Malone served the ball into the circle and found Hoffman who slapped it in from point-blank range.
BIG EAST Preseason Defensive Player of the Year Maureen Butler (Red Hook, NY) made three saves for the Huskies including two big saves in the first period from close range. Butler and the Husky defense are yet to allow a goal at home in four games. Scott made two saves for Villanova.
The Huskies are back in action Wednesday, September 24 when they play host to Harvard. Game time is set for 4:00 p.m. at the George J. Sherman Family Sports Complex.
