This weekend was the end of the regular season for the UR field hockey team, but the Yellowjackets are not done playing. With a 10-8 overall record, the team finished third in the Liberty League and earned a coveted spot in the conference playoffs for the first time in the Yellowjackets history.
The Yellowjackets had a hard time scoring Wednesday, but managed to score two over their opponent’s one, defeating SUNY Brockport in overtime under the lights of Fauver Stadium. Brockport scored first, tapping the ball into the goal along the right end line 47 minutes into the game.
Less than 10 minutes later, junior and cocaptain Mary DiMatteo and junior Celi Fletcher combined to form an intimidating offensive force – DiMatteo netted one with Fletcher’s help at time of 56 minutes. DiMatteo led the team with nine shots at goal, followed closely by Fletcher with five.
Junior Krista Butler also had five shots at goal, while junior Revay Wilson, senior Courtney Nussbaum and sophomore Kari Plewniak added to the offensive effort as well.
Despite their clear domination on the field, the Yellowjackets had difficulty guiding the ball to the back of the net and were forced to enter into overtime with the Golden Eagles in a 1-1 tie.
In overtime, DiMatteo and Fletcher once again combined forces to score what would be the winning goal. The game was placed under and to the left of the Brockport goalkeeper. In the UR net, sophomore Robin Levy played all 84 minutes of the game and totaled one save, as her team dominated the field offensively.
Overall, UR out-shot Brockport 28-4 with 16 penalty corners to the Golden Eagles’ three. Brockport fell to a 7-9 overall record as a result of the loss.
Saturday’s game marked the last home game of the regular season with 75 fans, 22 underclassmen teammates and two coaches filling Fauver Stadium to honor Nussbaum and senior and cocaptain Sally Jensen. Both seniors have been strong offensive presences on the team throughout their athletic careers at UR.
“Sally and Courtney have been a part of changing the program here,” coach Michelle Andre said. “With their help, we have gotten into the conference championships for the first time in school history.”
Over the years, Nussbaum has totaled six goals and 39 shots, while Jensen has also scored six times with 30 career shots to her name.
UR’s next game will be at 2 p.m. on Nov. 4, at William Smith College. The Yellowjackets will face the No. 2 Skidmore College Thoroughbreds – who defeated the team in overtime earlier this season – in the semifinals of the Liberty League Championship.
“We are looking forward to playing Skidmore again this weekend, and we are looking to make more history for our hockey program,” Andre said. “We have all the tools in place to do it.”
The winner of the game will play the winner of the William Smith-Union College game, also at William Smith College, for the Liberty League Championship and an automatic bid in the NCAA tournament.
Anderson can be reached at janderson@campustimes.org.
