Hamilton, N.Y. ? Freshman Rebecca Lee scored her first career goal and set up junior Ashley Tirabassi's game winner in the 110th minute to lead the University at Albany women's soccer team to a 2-1 victory over Colgate University in double overtime at Van Doren Field on Sunday, Aug. 24. Tirabassi's goal came with 31 seconds left in the second overtime frame.

            “I could not be more proud of the team today to fight back and get a win on the road the way that they did this afternoon,” said head coach Mary-Frances Monroe.

After a scoreless first half, Colgate (0-1) got on the scoreboard first in the 54th minute when junior Jess Bitsack collected a rebound initially saved by UAlbany freshman goalkeeper Cate Crenson. The Raiders only took three more shots on goal the rest of the way.

UAlbany (1-1) answered right back in the 61st minute of action. After Colgate goalkeeper Rachel Michlin punched away the ball, Lee took the rebound and shot it down the middle to tie the match up at 1-1.

With the clock winding down in the second overtime, Lee intercepted the ball just outside the 18-yard line on a failed clear attempt by the Raider defense. She tapped it to Tirabassi, who fired a shot to the top center of the net for the game winner.

“I give Colgate a lot of credit,” said Monroe. “They dominated the first half. We bounced back in the second half and through the overtime periods. It was a total team effort. No one gave up and we kept running at them.”

UAlbany's Crenson made seven saves on eight chances to earn her first collegiate victory. Colgate's Michlin faced two shots on goal in the match.

            The Great Danes return to action next Sunday when they visit the Lehigh Mountain Hawks in Bethlehem, Pa. The match is slated to begin at 1 p.m.

-agate-

UAlbany (1-1)              0          1          0          1          -           2

Colgate (0-1)               0          1          0          0          -           1

UAlbany: Scoring ? Rebecca Lee (1-1), Ashley Tirabassi (1-0). Goalkeeping ? Cate Crenson (109:29, 1 GA, 7 saves).

Colgate: Scoring ? Jess Bitsack (1-0). Goalkeeping ? Rebecca Michlin (109:29, 2 GA, 0 saves).

UAlbany 2, Colgate 1 (2OT) (Aug 24, 2008)