The University of Rochester used it's balanced scoring attack and some great defense to upend #4 Skidmore College 3-1 on Friday afternoon in a Liberty League field hockey contest.
Rochester (9-3, 2-1 Liberty League) got goals from three players, two under a minute apart in the first half to grab control of the game. UR's defense would hold strong against a potent Thoroughbred offense to just one goal.
Skidmore (9-2, 3-1 Liberty League) struck early in the game, just three minutes in when Molly Gile tipped in a blast from leading scorer Kelly Blackhurst. The goal was scored off a penalty corner and it looked like the visiting Thoroughbreds would grab control early. The tally was Gile's third of the year while Blackhurst picked up her 12th assist and 48th point on the season.
But Rochester battled back and was able to gain possession and control pace of play for the next few minutes. UR then scored its first goal off a mad scramble in front of Skidmore keeper Haley McDougall. After three chances were saved by McDougall, freshman
Michelle Relin tapped in a loose ball to tie the score.
Less than a minute later,
Allison Resnick, who just subbed was able to score her first of the year off a perfect pass from Relin who was on the right base line. McDougall was out of the net trying to cut off the pass, but Relin's feed found the stick of the sophomore defender who shot it home. The score came just after Skidmore was issued a green card.
The score remained 2-1 in favor of the home Yellowjackets at the half.
Early in the second half, the #4 ranked Thoroughbreds looked to even the score with three straight penalty corners, but those chances were spoiled by the active and aggressive UR defense.
Rochester's
Gina Cunningham would then provide the next best scoring chances when her two shots trickled just wide of McDougall in the Skidmore net. Both would have been sure goals, but the sophomore was unable to fully control the ball and tack on an insurance goal.
That insurance would come though in the 55th minute when senior
Shelby Hall unleashed a backhand blast from the left wing that found its way through traffic and into the back of the net. The play was set up off a penalty corner by
Sarah Dixon. Her initial pass went to
Belle Hoagland who swung the ball over to Hall who fired the shot.
Skidmore had a flurry of chances late, but Rochester's defense consisting of
Alexa Freedman,
Kathryn Montgomery, Dixon, Resnick and goalie
Madison Wagner saved the day for UR who saw its three game losing streak come to an end.
Wagner was terrific in the UR net, making 10 saves including six on Blackhurst who ranks in the top 10 in Division III scoring. McDougall made seven stops for Skidmore.
The game was played very physically and at an up tempo pace, with five green cards being issued. Skidmore held the big advantage in penalty corners 14-5 and a slim lead in shots, 14-13.
The Liberty League schedule continues tomorrow for both teams as Rochester hosts St. Lawrence at 2 pm while Skidmore travels to play #15 ranked William Smith College.
