UConn defeats four nationally ranked teams

The UConn field hockey team defeated University of New Hampshire 3-2 in double overtime this weekend. Chloe Hunnable pumped in the game-winning goal at 86:57 to help the Huskies keep their undefeated record of 9-0. Out of those eight games, four of the teams UConn has played are nationally ranked. These tough competitors have not only given UConn field hockey fans a plethora of great games to watch, but they have proved UConn’s strengths as a team. “We pride ourselves on being very stingy and giving up very few goals.” Said head coach Nancy Stevens. Sarah Mansfield and the powerful defense have given up a mere five goals thus far this season. Also, this past week, the NCAA named UConn field hockey No. 1 in RPI, ratings percentage index, proving that the Huskies are a dominant force in their league both on defense and offense.

The team’s tough scheduling with difficult opponents early on in the season wasn’t a coincidence however. “At the end of the season we have two teams tied for number two in the country waiting for us on the road: Syracuse and Princeton,” says Stevens. “Syracuse is in our conference for the last year, and Princeton has three Olympic members on it so we have to prepare for those games, and to do that we have to play a tough schedule.”
Stevens likes to challenge her players from the onset to prepare them for what lies ahead. This season is especially challenging since the teams in the Huskies league have stepped up their game. Coach Stevens thinks this will benefit the team overall, “Its good because this year New England has a lot of good teams so we still play a lot of regional teams and get some great competition.” UConn has had a great ride thus far and will continue to challenge themselves as the season unfolds.