Stickwomen Set Back in Opener, 3-0, By Nationally Ranked UConn Huskies

STORRS, Conn.--Field hockey at its best is a game of skill and grace. The University of Connecticut played it as it should be played here yesterday and ruined the season opener for a scrappy but overmatched Harvard squad, 3-0.

All-American midfielder Lauren Fuchs directed the Husky attack, as the forwards, led by Lorie McCollum who scored twice, peppered 22 shots toward Crimson goalie Betty Ippolito. But the UConn defense controlled the game, repeatedly converging on the ball to snuff out every Harvard drive.

"We had a lot of trouble dodging because they backed each other up well," Annie Velie said after the game. "There was always somebody behind when we got by."

Good Behavior

The Crimson managed only three shots--all in the first half, all of of corners and all by Jenny White. That they were able to stay close until the final minutes is a tribute to the extraordinary play of link Velie, who picked up a barrelful of interceptions and, more important, consistently moved the ball forward out of the Harvard end.

McCollum put the Huskies ahead at 10:05 of the first half when she flicked a shot to Ippolito's right which found a home in the far corner.

Pressure, Pressure

UConn continued to put pressure on Ippolito, and at 26:16 Fuchs and Holly Payne slipped past the Crimson backs for a two-on-one. Ippolito committed herself toward Fuchs, the ball handler, and the senior from Centereach, N.Y., slipped a picture-perfect pass to Payne, who deposted it home for the tally.

"Both of the girls were unmarked, and I just got beat," Ippolito said after the game. "I have to play the ball. The girl who received the pass was unmarked, and she scored."

The let's-go-to-dinner final goal occurred at the end of the evenly-fought second half. McCollum picked up the ball at midfield, flew down the right sideline, and drove a searing liner past Ippolito. The huskies, ranked third nationally, held on for the remaining two minutes and won their second decision in as many outings.

First-Timers

Two players, freshmen Betsy Torg and Beth Mullen, made their varsity debuts for the Crimson, and one, Maureen Finn, had a debut of sorts, playing forward for the first time in an effort to shore up the attack.

"I enjoyed playing attack, but it was strange," Finn said after the game. "I kept thinking about getting back on defense."

Because UConn defense played so well, her performance up front was hard to judge. Torg and Mullen both saw a good deal of action, however, and both played well--the latter saving a probable goal with a clear from the crease.

THE NOTEBOOK: The Crimson's next tilt, Saturday's contest at Boston University, should be a much easier one, though as Chris Sailor reminds us, "it'll be on astroturf." The team will wear tennis sneakers for improved footing.