Glorious Sunday: Two UAlbany Teams Earn NCAA Tournament Berths

Fifth Trip in Eight Years for Field Hockey; First-Ever Achievement for Women's Soccer

Field hockey and soccer head to the NCAAs.

ALBANY, N.Y. (November 9, 2015) — One UAlbany sports team extended its sterling tradition and another began a new dramatic chapter on Sunday, when the UAlbany field hockey and women’s soccer teams won America East titles, advancing both squads to the NCAA tournament.

Field hockey, led by America East tournament MVP Anna Bottino, defeated Maine 2-0 for the title in the afternoon, earning an automatic bid to the NCAAs. It then found out at 10 p.m. that it will be seeded 8th in the NCAA first round, and will play 11th-seeded Boston College at the University of Connecticut this coming Saturday at 2 p.m.

Hours after field hockey’s win, the women’s soccer team earned the program’s first-ever trip to the NCAAs by rallying with two goals in the final nine minutes to defeat Hartford 2-1 for the America East Championship. On Mondy, the Great Danes found out they will travel to University Park, Pa., this Friday to battle number one seed and Big Ten champion Penn State, game time 6:30 p.m.

For field hockey, the win marked back to back America East titles (and NCAA tournament appearances) and the program’s fifth title in the last eight years. Goals by defending NFHCA National Player of the Year Paula Heuser, a junior, and sophomore Kelsey Briddell registered UAlbany’s goals. A year ago, the Danes became the first-ever UAlbany sports team to reach an NCCA tournament semifinal after downing both Maryland and Wake Forrest.

Soccer upset top seeded Hartford via a tying goal by senior Allison Carhart with eight minutes left in the contest and then the winner from senior Kelly Kempf with just 2:17 to go. UAlbany’s defense, brilliant throughout, held on the rest of the way.

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