STORRS, Conn – The Old Dominion Field Hockey team reached 10 wins in a row, with a 3-2 overtime win at UConn on Friday. Rina Tsioles scored the game-winner three minutes into overtime. With the win the Monarchs snapped a 13-game losing streak to the Huskies over a 10-year span.
With one minute and 30 seconds left in the game and trailing 2-1, de Bruijne took a pass and was fouled in the half circle which granted ODU a penalty stroke. de Bruijne stepped up and fired her shot into the top left corner to tie the score at two and send the game into overtime.
"Freddy made a beautiful pass to Marlon in the circle, she got taken down hard for a penalty stroke. She buried it and then we were rolling," said head coach Andrew Griffiths
ODU (12-5, 6-1) would trail UConn early as the Huskies scored five minutes into the first quarter and took a two-goal advantage four minutes later. Old Dominion cut the UConn lead in half with three minutes left in the quarter as Marlon de Bruijne found Frederique Zandbergen in front of the goal after a penalty corner insert, Zandbergen slotted it past the Huskies keeper making it 2-1.
The second half was dominated by the Monarchs as they would outshoot UConn 6-0 in the third quarter but couldn't get on the board.
The Monarchs didn't allow a shot in the second half and overtime and took 14 shots offensively. Suus Broers made four saves on 10 shots faced.
"What a game and what a team we have. We started slow and we were way off our game in the first quarter. A crazy statistic, we gave up nine shots in the first quarter, and then one shot for the rest of the game. This game represents us perfectly. Not perfect through the whole game, but we fought together until the end. It was fitting for Rina to get the game winner in Overtime - she dominated the midfield all game with Dani - and for Rina, what a time to score her first goal of the season," said head coach Griffiths.
"That shows how dominant we were on the field. UConn became pretty physical in their play and got some significant penalty minutes for it. We didn't panic, even when two goals down, we just kept going steadily. We moved the ball well and created chance after chance for the rest of the game. We pressed them hard and gave them no way out of the backfield. We just kept working and working, and stayed together, played some really good hockey, great ball movement but we couldn't break through until the in the final minute," said Griffiths.
"Overtime we put pressure on them and Rina finished it off with a great move, turn and backhand shot. This team has a ton of toughness and character. We will turn the page on Sunday and prepare for the Big East tournament. But tonight we will enjoy this win and celebrate a great way to end of the regular season!"
ODU will face Temple in the BIG EAST Semifinals at Temple on Nov. 3 starting at 4 p.m.
ODU Field Hockey Rallies To Defeat UConn 3-2 In Overtime On Friday
