BROCKPORT, NY – Led by senior Amanda Strenk's third hat trick of the season and an additional goal from Julia McDonough, the University of Rochester field hockey team picked up a 4-1 road win over SUNY Brockport on Tuesday evening at Dr. Linda Arena.
 
Rochester moves to 8-3 on the season with the win, while Brockport drops to 5-6 overall on the 2021 campaign.
 
In addition to the UR goals, Vivianna Arnold, Karina Bridger, Zoe Conomikes and Mara Heppard added assists for the Yellowjackets, while Abigail Walrond and Helen Schmitter each played a half in the goal. Walrond did not allow a goal and made four saves in picking up the win, while Schmitter allowed one goal and made one save.
 
Brockport provided the first scoring chance of the contest, earning a penalty corner just 34 seconds in. On the corner, Bailey Lazore had a shot attempt six yards out, but Walrond did a good job coming off her line and kicked away the chance.
 

UR took the 1-0 lead in the third minute on McDonough's first goal of the season. A long hit into the circle from Juney Lee deflected off a Brockport defender to the right wing where Bridger slipped a shot passed keeper Emma Acevedo. The dribbler did not reach the goal though, but McDonough was there at the left post and pushed the ball over the line for the early lead.
 
Less than four minutes later, Strenk ripped a backhand shot from eight yards through Acevedo's five hole for the 2-0 UR lead. Arnold set up the play with her pass from the midfield into the circle.
 
Three minutes into the second period, Strenk recorded her second of the night to boost the Yellowjackets lead to 3-0. Conomikes dribbled the ball in deep along the right endline and sent a cross out in front where the UR senior co-captain tapped the ball inside the post.
 
In the 22nd minute, UR's Lee had a penalty corner blast clang off the left post, nearly adding to the visitors lead.
 
Thanks to a UR green card in the closing minutes of the half, Brockport had a player advantage and turned it into a penalty corner chance, but the shot from Olivia Hayden with 16 seconds left before intermission was again stopped by a nice play from Walrond.
 
Rochester got its final goal of the game in the 33rd minute when Strenk had a hard hit shot sneak inside the right post from the top of the circle. The goal, her 15th of the season, came directly off a penalty corner from inserter Heppard.
 
Four minutes later, Brockport avoided the shutout when Katelynn Mello smacked in a bouncing ball after a long hit from the right sideline.
 
The Yellowjackets now shift their focus back to Liberty League opponents, as UR hosts Union on Saturday afternoon at 4 pm.