Matt Gad – Contributor
The Owls came into action last night with New Haven winners of their first five games, their best start to the season since the program’s 2006-07 national championship run. However, against the five-win Chargers they were outplayed in most aspects, turning the ball over 14 times and shooting less than ideal percentages from the field.
“We didn’t shoot the ball very well,” head coach Kate Lynch said. “We shot poorly from three and everything that could’ve gone wrong went wrong. There was a lack of focus [in some regard.]”
The team started the season with a 10-point win over Post University and won 73-55 over Bridgeport at the Bridgeport Conference Challenge before they traveled to Albany, N.Y. to defeat Saint Rose, 59-53. Other than their exhibition loss to UConn, 67 points is the most the Owls have given up all season.
“We came out strong but we kind of died down and we can’t let that happen,” junior forward Jessica Fressle said. “It’s a learning experience and we will be fine next game.”
The Chargers, coming off a 2-1 Puerto Rico trip over the week of Thanksgiving, came out firing and senior guard Alexandria Kerr led their offense with 31 points, 12 rebounds and five steals.
Lynch said there was a “lack of focus defensively” from her team, in regard to matching up against Kerr and just overall as the game progressed.
“When things started sliding downhill we couldn’t really stop it,” she said. “We have to be focused.”
Despite the loss, Fressle and senior guard Amanda Pfohl kept up with their offensive firepower. Fressle scored 21 points and Pfohl added 14. But the rest of the starters were unable to get things going offensively, with junior forward Kiana Steinauer and junior guard Imani Wheeler combining for just 14 points. Junior guard Aaliyah Walker, who scored 16 points in last week’s win against Queens College, was held scoreless.
“It was just an off day,” Fressle said. “We’re gonna be ready for Adelphi.”
