Conte finished with seven saves in the cage for Stonehill (PHOTO BY Brian Foley) |
Orsola's four points, Schoonmaker's two goals lifts Great Danes
ALBANY, N.Y. (August 27, 2023) – UAlbany, ranked No. 19 in the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Division I preseason coaches poll, scored three goals in the opening quarter and didn't look back in posting a 5-0 victory over Stonehill College in a non-conference field hockey matchup on Alumni Turf this afternoon.
Highlights
- Junior Blanca Orsola had a hand in three of UAlbany's five goals with a goal and two assists, while sophomore Sophia Schoonmaker scored twice to lead the Great Danes to the win.
- Junior Floor de Ruiter and freshman Mara Kuskes each contributed a pair of assists for UAlbany.
- Junior Shannon Conte finished with seven saves in goal for Stonehill.
How It Happened
- UAlbany scored three times in the opening quarter to grab quick control of the game and didn't look back as Orsola opened the scoring 27-seconds into the contest on Kuskes' first assist of the day.
- Orsola turned provider for the Great Danes' second of the game two and a half minutes later, assisting on Schoonmaker's first goal of the game to double the lead.
- Freshman Axelle Werbrouck rounded out the first quarter scoring off a pass from de Ruiter with 6:31 remaining in the frame.
- UAlbany finished off the scoring with a pair in the third quarter.
Noteworthy
- UAlbany marks the first nationally-ranked Division I opponent the Skyhawks field hockey program has faces in its program's history.
- Conte, an All-Northeast Conference second team selection as a sophomore, made her 17th-straight start in the Stonehill cage.
- This afternoon marked the first meeting all-time between these two programs.
Up Next
Stonehill (0-2, 0-0 NEC) returns to action next Sunday, September 3, when it visits Dartmouth College for a non-conference matchup at noon. The Skyhawks home opener is scheduled for Friday, September 29, when they host Fairfield University for a Northeast Conference matchup at W.B. Mason Stadium at 1 p.m. UAlbany (1-1, 0-0 AE) hosts No. 7-ranked Iowa next Sunday at noon.
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