Field Hockey Defeats No. 2 UConn in Shootouts

Sept. 14, 2014

Newton, Mass. - No. 15 Boston College defeated defending national champion No. 2 Connecticut on Sunday, Sep. 14 at the Newton Sports Complex in a hotly contested matchup. It took two overtimes and two rounds of shootouts to decide the game. The last three matchups between Boston College and Connecticut have gone to overtime.

"This weekend, between the game against Boston University and this game, our team really turned a corner. They are where they need to be and they're making the success happen. Our motto all weekend was refuse to lose and the team definitely executed that.

"I have a ton of respect of UConn. [Head coach] Nancy Stevens is such a veteran, master coach and the program is so strong. They're the defending national champions. The region is just so awesome, and I think both teams got better today playing this level of competition," said head coach Ainslee Lamb.

Although UConn lead the shot count in the first half, 8-4, the Huskies weren't able to capitalize. Junior goalkeeper Leah Settipane tallied three saves in the first half, and the teams entered halftime tied at zero.

Four goals were scored in the tumultuous second half. The Huskies struck first, as Chrissy Davidson netted the go ahead goal five minutes into the second half on a cross by Sophie Bowden. BC answered with a goal by sophomore forward Brittany Sheenan, her sixth of the season, off of a rebound on Leah Frome's shot.

Connecticut responded with a goal by Sophie Bowden off of a corner to put the Huskies up, 2-1, with eight minutes left. Boston College junior Jackie Kelleher made a goal-line save to hold off the UConn attack.

Head coach Ainslee Lamb pulled goalkeeper Leah Settipane to give the Eagles a man advantage with five minutes left. With one minute remaining in regulation, sophomore forward Eryn McCoy notched the game-tying goal, her first of the season, after a corner on a pass by freshman forward Brooke Matherson.

"We were going to battle to the very end in order to tie the game up, so the girls knew exactly what to do when I pulled Leah [Settipane]. Tactically, everyone did what they needed to do to send this game into overtime," said Lamb.

Overall, the potent Husky offense tallied 29 shots, but the BC defense along with Settipane persevered to send the game into shootouts. Settipane made 12 saves against the Huskies, bringing her career total to 252. With her performance against UConn, Settipane is now tied for fifth on the all-time saves list in Boston College record books.

In the first round of shootouts, senior Katlyn Soucy notched a goal for the Eagles, but UConn answered to bring on a second round. In round two, Soucy scored another goal along with sophomore Emily McCoy. Senior midfielder Emma Plasteras scored the game-winning goal as the tenth and final Boston College shooter.

"I'm so proud of the team. This was just an excellent team win. We're using a ton of players off the bench, Leah kept us in the game, and everyone contributed. Assistant coach Meg Bozek runs the shootout, and she did a great job picking the players. The entire staff is very talented and it showed in this game," said Lamb.

The Boston College field hockey team continues the action, and kicks off conference play, at ACC opponent Syracuse Saturday, Sep. 20 at 1 p.m.

Field Hockey Defeats No. 2 UConn in Shootouts

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Team Stats

Eryn McCoy

Brittany Sheenan

Brooke Matherson

Romée Stiekema