Drexel University Athletics
Drexel University
UConn
No. 6 UConn Scores Final Three Goals to Pull Away From No. 12 Drexel, 5-2
9/17/2009 6:30:14 PM | Field Hockey
Box Score
Storrs, Conn. - No. 12 Drexel played No. 6 UConn to a dead heat over the first 55 minutes of the game but the Huskies reeled off three late goals to earn a 5-2 victory. Ali Blankmeyer scored three goals for the undefeated Huskies while Susan Ciufo notched both of the Dragons scores. The loss was the first in six games this season while the Huskies moved to 6-0.
UConn got on the board first as Blankmeyer scored after Jenna Phillips stopped three shots at point-blank range. Drexel earned the game's first penalty corner as Christina Mastropaolo inserted the ball to Sofia Sanguinetti. The sophomore stopped the ball for Kim Tunell who slid the ball to Ciufo who lifted a shot high into the netting to knot the game at 1-1. UConn regained the lead after Loren Sherer sent a pass through the center of the circle from the top to Blankmeyer who one-timed the ball into the cage. Drexel looked to answer as the visitors earned its second penalty corner of the game. Tunell fired directly after the stick-stop but was turned away by Andrea Mainiero. Drexel dodged a couple of UConn scoring chances over the last 10 minutes of the period to head to halftime down, 2-1.
Drexel wasted little time tying the score as the Dragons put together five passes with the final pass from Gibernau to Ciufo ahead in the circle. Ciufo touched the ball to her right and fired a shot that beat Mainiero between the legs. UConn nearly responded when Bethany Semlear was given space at the top of the circle and rifled a shot that Phillips sent away with the tip of her left toe. Phillips was again up to the task as she turned away a shot from Melissa Gonzalez that started a two-on-one the other way but the Dragons could not convert. A deflection from Cara Silverman directly in front of Phillips that found the net finally gave the Huskies a 3-2 lead. Blankmeyer's third goal of the game gave the home squad its first two-goal lead of the game. A penalty corner was lifted by Jestine Angelini that Phillips was able to deflect with her blocker but could not keep out of the cage.
Phillips posted a career-high 11 saves for Drexel, including many from point-blank range. Mainiero stopped four shots to improve to 6-0. UConn outshot Drexel 23-6 and earned 10 penalty corners to the visitors' three.
Drexel returns to action on Saturday when the Dragons take on Fairfield at 1:00 p.m.
