Huskies emerge victorious on the road

Junior Marie Elena Bolles proved to be a force to be reckoned with this weekend, leading the No. 7 UConn field hockey team to wins against Michigan and Albany.

Bolles scored two goals on Saturday afternoon against No. 15 Michigan, including the game-winner with just over seven minutes remaining on an assist from sophomore Chloe Hunnable.  The goal was Bolles’ third game-winner in four games on the season.

Junior goalkeeper Sarah Mansfield was a solid presence in the net for the Huskies once again, allowing Michigan just one goal while making six saves on the afternoon. UConn outshot the Wolverines 15-12, six of which came from the stick of Bolles.

Bolles again opened the scoring for the Huskies in Sunday’s game, as she tipped in a shot off a penalty corner from freshman Louisa Boddy just 20 minutes into the game to take a 1-0 lead over Albany.

Five minutes after halftime, Boddy was again involved in a penalty corner, firing another shot from the top of the circle. This time, no tip was needed as Boddy beat the Albany goalkeeper on her own to score the first goal of her career.  The goal proved to be the game-winner, as the Great Danes cut the UConn lead to one with just over five minutes remaining.

Despite allowing the late goal, Mansfield succeeded in shutting out the opposition, turning away eight shots on the afternoon and six in the second half, including an Albany scoring chance with under a minute remaining that would have tied the game.  Both teams registered 12 shots on goal.

The Huskies played both games in Albany, N.Y., tallying their first neutral field and away wins while improving to 4-0 on the season.   The Huskies’ next game is their Big East opener against Rutgers on Saturday at home on the Sherman Family Sports Complex. Game time is set for 12 p.m.