By Carter Schum | September 16, 2024
The University at Albany field hockey team earned their fifth straight victory on Sunday, defeating the Drexel Dragons 3-1 at the Alumni Turf.
Senior Alison Smisdom (#17) scored two goals in Sunday’s win over Drexel.
Photo Credit: Brent Warzocha / UAlbany Athletics
“Fantastic effort. I was so proud of the girls because this is one of our toughest weekends of the season against two great teams,” UAlbany head coach Phil Sykes said.
The Great Danes were in control from the beginning with several shots at the goal and dominating the midfield play. Freshman Lotje Ligthart opened the scoring for the Great Danes at 9:28 of the first quarter.
The Great Danes then added a second goal, as senior Alison Smisdom scored her fourth goal in two games; she also scored a hat-trick in a 3-2 win at Harvard on Friday.
“I think it’s a team reflection of how good we’ve been playing as a team together,” Smisdom said. “We just kept going from the first to the last second and I think that shows in the score line.”
The second quarter was more evenly matched, with both teams getting time in the offensive zone. The Great Danes defense stood strong, not allowing a shot. The Danes won a corner with 10 seconds remaining and converted with Smisdom netting her second of the game after her initial effort was stifled.
The Great Danes outshot the Dragons 6-0 in the first half of play, with five of those shots being on goal.
The third quarter momentum swung towards the Dragons, who won their first corner with 11:52 remaining, and capitalized to get the score to 3-1 after putting pressure on the Great Dane defense.
Despite being held shotless in the third quarter, the Great Danes came out of the blocks fast in the fourth and continued to put pressure on Drexel. The Dragons were unable to put any offensive pressure, as the Great Danes defensive plays proved to be too much for the Drexel offense.
The Dragons did not stop trying however, as a UAlbany turnover led to a key scoring chance for the Dragons with 7:30 left in the game. However, Drexel couldn’t capitalize as the Great Danes defense once again bent, but did not break. The Great Danes survived one last Drexel push late in the quarter to hold on for a 3-1 victory.
“I was proud of how our goalie [Laura Behn] played,” Sykes said about the UAlbany defense in the second half. “Our backline defense was excellent and really composed."
The Great Danes improved to 5-1 on the season and now look ahead to their next matchup on Sept. 22 where they’ll face off against UC Davis at the Alumni Turf.