Albany, N.Y. ? The University at Albany field hockey team used a balanced scoring attack to defeat the University of Maine, 3-1, in the America East Conference opener for both teams at Alumni Turf Field on Saturday, Oct. 4. Sarah Deane's first career goal late in the first half proved to be the game winner. The Great Danes outshot the Black Bears by a count of 24-9 in the game and held a commanding 14-1 advantage in penalty corners.

            UAlbany (6-7, AE 1-0) got on the scoreboard first off a penalty corner. After Michele Polizois' shot was saved by Maine goalkeeper Brittany Fleck, Carr collected the rebound and found the back of the goal for the first time to put the Great Danes ahead by a goal.

Maine (3-6, AE 0-1) responded with the equalizer in the 13th minute. Following a UAlbany foul, Maire Dineen started with the ball from just outside the arc on the left side. She passed it down to Brittney Cummings who flicked a shot past UAlbany goalkeeper Ashley Ross to knot up the score. Dineen was credited with an assist on the play.

For the second time in the game, UAlbany scored a goal following a penalty corner and a saved shot taken by Polizois from just inside the arc. This time, Deane collected the rebound and found the back of the net in the 34th minute to give the Great Danes a 2-1 lead that they would take into halftime. UAlbany outshot Maine 12-2 and had an 8-0 advantage in penalty corners in the first half.

Michelle Simpson added an insurance goal to put the Great Danes ahead 3-1 in the 45th minute. The senior captain had the ball inside the arc from about 10 yards away with her back to the goal. She then turned around and fired a shot that bounced off Fleck and into the bottom left corner of the cage.

            UAlbany's Ashley Ross faced nine shots and stopped six of them in the winning effort. Maine's Fleck saved eight of the 24 Great Dane shots she faced and took the loss.

            The Great Danes will return to action on Tuesday afternoon to host crosstown-rival Siena at 3:30 p.m.

-agate-

Maine (3-6, AE 0-1)                    1          0          -           1

UAlbany (6-7, AE 1-0)                2          1          -           3

Maine: Scoring ? Brittney Cummings (1-0), Maire Dineen (0-1). Goalkeeping ? Brittany Fleck (70:00, 3 GA, 8 saves).

UAlbany: Scoring ? Ashley Carr (1-0), Sarah Deane (1-0), Michelle Simpson (1-0). Goalkeeping: Ashley Ross (70:00, 1 GA, 6 saves).

UAlbany 3, Maine 1 (Oct 04, 2008)