Heuser Breaks All-Time UAlbany Career Goals Record in No. 10 Field Hockey's 3-1 Victory Over No. 18 Maine
BOX SCORE
ALBANY, N.Y.- Just a junior, University at Albany (14-2, 5-1 AE) midfielder Paula Heuser became the all-time program leader in career goals with 64 on Friday afternoon. Heuser scored twice in a 3-1 win over No. 18 Maine (15-3, 5-1 AE) at Alumni Turf.
“We came into this game looking to play smart,” said head coach Phil Sykes. “It was important for us to play according to our plan, and we kept our composure. Going into the tournament in a few weeks, this is a really good sign for the post-season.”
Looking to avenge a 6-2 loss in Orono a few weeks ago, UAlbany came out pushing the pace up front. With the first penalty corner at the 15-minute mark, Fiori Van Rijswijk inserted directly to Heuser, who had her first shot attempt blocked. Bottino followed up after the corner with a blocked shot of her own.
But the pair combined for UAlbany's first goal moments later. Heuser took the ball through the middle, leaving three Maine defenders in her wake. Finally down to a two-on-one opportunity in the circle, the defending NFHCA National Player of the Year dished off to Bottino. Bottino fired across the goal from the right side for a 1-0 lead with less than 15 minutes left in the first half.
The Danes had three more penalty corners in the half, including one as time expired. Heuser shot wide left going into the break.
The Purple & Gold held a 4-0 advantage in both penalty corners and shots at halftime.
The Black Bears did not go away quietly, pounding the circle early on in the second half. Maine still could not get a shot off through the UAlbany defensive line, stopped short by Frederike Helmke, Jaclyn Hibbs, Laura Page and Fiori Van Rijswijk.
With the defense stepping up to the challenge, the offense responded accordingly. After Helmke made a tackle in the UAlbany end, Heuser went the length of the field to score unassisted. The junior notched her 17th of the season.
Maine called timeout to regroup, and the Black Bears got one back on the board in the 62nd minute.
As the momentum began to shift, UAlbany called timeout and regained control of the game. A penalty corner set up for Heuser ensued, as a stop by Laura Page off of Van Rijswijk's insert gave the Danes the insurance they were looking for, 3-1.
Heuser now has 64 career goals and 18 in 2015. She passed UAlbany Hall of Famer Tovah Atwell as the top scorer in program history, a record set in 1999. Heuser helped end an eight-game winning streak for the Black Bears.
Maxi Primus recorded her 48th career victory in the cage, and her 2nd win of the year over a nationally ranked opponent.
UAlbany field hockey (14-2, 5-1 AE) visits New Hampshire (7-8, 3-2 AE) on Sunday at 1:00pm.
