“Super emotional, definitely heartbreaking:” Dorka Juhasz, Lou Lopez Senechal play their last game for UConn women

SEATTLE – Lou Lopez Senechal has only been playing for the UConn women’s basketball team for a year. Dorka Juhasz has been at UConn for two years.

But judging by the tears the two transfer graduate students shed – as well as those of their teammates – after playing their last collegiate game Saturday afternoon at Climate Pledge Arena, a 73-61 loss to Ohio State in the NCAA Tournament Seattle Region 3 semifinal, it seemed more like they had been Huskies for much longer.

“Their impact was huge,” UConn junior point guard Nika Muhl said. “It feels like they’ve been here for more than one and two years – that just speaks by itself on how huge their impact has been on and off the court on all of us.

“It just feels bad that we couldn’t pull this one out for them. We’re going to have another chance at this, but they’re not and it feels 10 times worse because of that.”

Lopez Senechal, a transfer from Fairfield, led the third-seeded Huskies Saturday with 25 points and shot 4 for 7 from the 3-point line. At one point in the second quarter, she slipped and left the court holding her right knee. But she was back in the second half and scored 10 points in the fourth quarter trying to get the Huskies back into the game.

Juhasz, a graduate student who was playing against her former team, Ohio State, for the first time, had 13 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocks.

“No matter what happened tonight, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else,” Lopez Senechal said. “I wouldn’t have done it with anyone else. I’m very grateful that Coach (Geno Auriemma) and everyone gave me this opportunity to be here this year and compete at this level.

“I’ve had one of my best years of my life here and that’s a credit to everyone in the UConn staff, all the teammates, Dorka, who’s been in the same situation as me. It’s really a blessing for me to have had that fifth year and I’m just very grateful for this opportunity.”

Lopez Senechal choked up in the press conference after the game; Juhasz did in the locker room afterward.

“It’s super emotional, definitely heart-breaking,” Juhasz said. “Just losing this game and knowing my college career is over. But you know, there’s so many positive memories and so many things I got out of this experience. And I’m going to forever be grateful to the coaching staff and the team, for welcoming me, just for two years, becoming my family. This is not how we wanted this to end.”

Juhasz broke her wrist in the regional final victory last year over North Carolina State and she went to the Final Four but not as a participant and the Huskies missed her presence. This year, she had another year of eligibility and decided to come back.

“I felt like I wasn’t able to give my all to this program (last year),” Juhasz said. “I felt like I couldn’t play up to my ability, I wasn’t as comfortable playing in the system and was hoping (this) year I could be a dominant player for this team. I was hoping for a good run in March Madness. It wasn’t the way we wanted to end it.”

“I’m definitely going to hold onto all the good memories. All the friendships and lessons I’ve learned from these losses, from this loss – just throughout the two years, a lot of ups and downs.”

Lopez Senechal had been the go-to player at Fairfield. She was pressed into a larger role than expected after injuries decimated the Huskies.

“I knew I had to transition to this type of level very quick if I wanted to have an impact on the team,” Lopez Senechal said. “I didn’t have 2-3 years. That motivation came from within me. The coaching staff trusted me right away. Injuries came and I had to play more. I took the opportunity. Everyone trusted me, being here not even a year.

“It’s a lot to think that’s the last game with them and I’m not going to play with them again. It’s just hard to believe that.”

Their teammates found it hard to believe as well. Junior Aaliyah Edwards and Lopez Senechal were the only two Huskies that played every game this season.

“Lou, she was the rock to our team this season,” junior Aaliyah Edwards said. “She left it all out on the floor tonight. It hurts more, it stings more because for our seniors it’s the last time they’re wearing the UConn jersey and they won’t get the opportunity to have a run like we did in the tournament.”

After the game, Auriemma praised the two.

“This gave Dorka and Lou an opportunity to show the whole country, ‘This is who I am, this is what I can do,’” Auriemma said. “Lou, it seems like every big game we’ve played this year, she’s played fantastic. I’m really happy for the two of them. I want them to leave feeling like they did everything they possibly could to extend the season and it just wasn’t meant to be.”