PHILADELPHIA – After an early fourth quarter goal by Madison Zalewski and an empty net insurance goal from Cosima Perleth, Old Dominion field hockey defeated #2 UConn, 2-1, to secure the BIG EAST Championship title in Philadelphia on Sunday afternoon.
“What a team we have!” Head Coach Andrew Griffiths said. “They deserve to be champions. They played with passion, energy, focus and this is exactly the best of what team sport is about. This team has wonderful personality and chemistry and there are no superstars, it is just a special group. I am so incredibly proud of them, and happy for them. We played two very good opponents this weekend, both big teams with very talented players, and we just took care of business. Our players were purposeful and relentless in their preparation, and in their performance.”
Zalewski scored the first goal of the game at 12:12 after an ODU penalty corner, her stick reflecting off of a shot from Serena Langendoen. After UConn pulled its goalie, a miscommunication from the Huskie’s defense allowed for Perleth to score on an empty net, securing the Monarch’s victory.
Old Dominion has defeated three nationally ranked teams this season.
UConn (15-2) collected two corners in the first five minutes of the first quarter, with Old Dominion (14-4) grabbing its first just after the seven minute mark. Both teams were unable to score, and only one corner was awarded in the second quarter that went to the Huskies. ODU goalkeeper Suus Broers had her first save of the day to end the half tied at zero.
Both sides of the field defended strongly in the third quarter, with zero corners being awarded and just one shot coming from Old Dominion’s Cosima Perleth. Under three minutes into the fourth quarter, Zalewski scored off a tipped penalty corner shot from Langendoen, putting the Monarchs on the board. ODU took that momentum and was awarded two more corners, but both shot attempts were blocked. UConn removed goalkeeper Natalie McKenna with four minutes remaining, which resulted in a goal from Perleth one minute later, giving ODU a 2-0 lead. Husky Emma Larit scored with 16 seconds remaining, but it was not enough to make up the late deficit, awarding Old Dominion with the BIG EAST Tournament Championship for the first time since 2023.
UConn outshot Old Dominion 9-8, though the Monarchs recorded five corners to the Huskies’ four.
Zalewski and Perleth lead the way for ODU in scoring with one goal each, as Langendoen and Sofia Marciano had a team-high one assist each.
Broers collected two saves on one goal allowed to collect her second BIG EAST title as a Monarch.
This marks ODU’s 17th conference championship win, including the Monarchs' second BIG EAST Championship title. Griffiths has now won two BIG EAST Championships at Old Dominion through 14 seasons. ODU will look to win its first national championship since 2000.
“To me, the best quality of this team is the selflessness throughout,” Griffiths added. “From player 1-23, the team comes first, there is just no selfish behavior. After a mistake, they just work for each other and help each other.cOur team’s energy was palpable this weekend.cOur will to win was undeniable. I could not be more proud. We can’t wait for the NCAAs.”
UP NEXT
Old Dominion finds out its NCAA Tournament placing tonight at 10 p.m. on NCAA.com.
BIG EAST All-Tournament Team
Suus Broers, Old Dominion, Sr., GK
Lotte Haagmans, Old Dominion, Jr., F
Serena Langendoen, Old Dominion, Jr., D
Cosima Perleth, Old Dominion, Sr., M
Natalie McKenna, UConn, Sr., GK
Lena Reiche, UConn, Fr., M
Lucy Zich, UConn, Fr., F
Paris-Gail Isaacs, Liberty, So., M/D
Diane Saint Martin, Liberty, So., GK
Gemma Lysaght, Villanova, Sr., D
Maddi Sears, Villanova, Sr., GK
Most Outstanding Player
Suus Broers, Old Dominion, Sr. GK