Kent State University
(11-11)
University of Connecticut
(17-3)
Field Hockey's Historic Season Ends in NCAA Tournament Loss
11/15/2014 3:45:00 PM | Field Hockey
STORRS, Conn. – Kent State (11-11) was unable to create more magic in the NCAA Tournament, losing to the No. 3 seed and the defending national champion UConn (17-2) by a score of 6-1 Saturday afternoon.
The Huskies came on strong in the first half with five goals in the opening 35 minutes while Kent State was only able to get off two shots. The period ended with a great defensive save by Susanne Felder who sprinted down field to get in position to clear the ball from going in to the net on UConn's 12th shot of the half.
The second half was a different story, as the Golden Flashes showed a lot of fight, although the damage was done. Kent State got on the board at 51:53 when Julia Hofmann gave a great pass inside the circle to Madison Thompson who connected for her 8th goal of the season. UConn made it a 6-1 game with another goal to close out the game.
The Golden Flashes outshot the Huskies 4-3 in the second but the home team had a 15-6 advantage in the game. Kent State had four penalty corners to UConn's two.
Andrea Rinehart wrapped up her sophomore campaign in net with five saves. Both Julia Hofmann and Madison Thompson each had two shots, all coming on goal to lead Kent State.
The 2014 team will go down in Kent State history as the first to ever win a NCAA Tournament game after the team had already accomplished both a regular season and tournament title in the Mid-American Conference. All six seniors will be missed in 2015, but the team regularly started five underclassmen throughout this postseason who will look to keep up the Golden Flashes' success next year.
Team Stats
HUNNABLE, Chloe (9)
Assisted By: VEITNER, Charlotte
GOAL by UCONN HUNNABLE, Chloe (FIRST GOAL), Assist by VEITNER, Charlotte, goal number 9 for season.
2:51
VEITNER, Charlotte (14)
Assisted By: HUNNABLE, Chloe
backhanded pass from end line
11:09
VEITNER, Charlotte (15)
Assisted By: BOLLES, Olivia
GOAL by UCONN VEITNER, Charlotte, Assist by BOLLES, Olivia, goal number 15 for season.
14:32
BOLLES, Olivia (3)
GOAL by UCONN BOLLES, Olivia, goal number 3 for season.
28:12
VEITNER, Charlotte (16)
Assisted By: HEISTAND, Karlie
pass from 17 on endline
31:45
THOMPSON, Madison (8)
Assisted By: HOFMANN, Julia
GOAL by KENTST THOMPSON, Madison, Assist by HOFMANN, Julia, goal number 8 for season.
51:53
YOUNGBLOOD, Kendall (3)
GOAL by UCONN YOUNGBLOOD, Kendall, goal number 3 for season.
64:13
