Men's Soccer Opens America East Play With 2-1 Win Against Vermont
BOX SCORE
ALBANY, N.Y. – University at Albany men's soccer (3-3-5, 1-0 AE) put its offensive worries to rest on Saturday afternoon, downing Vermont (5-5-1, 0-1 AE) 2-1 in the league opener at Bob Ford Field.
“It's great to win our conference opener at home,” said head coach Trevor Gorman. “I was pleased with how we responded in the second half, especially after the Vermont's equalizer.”
The Catamounts came out energized to begin the game. Tim Allen made four saves in the opening 20 minutes on a rainy day in Albany to keep the contest tied at zero. Despite out-shooting the Danes 12-3 in the first half, Afonso Pinheiro put a quality look on net 10 minutes before the half expired. The freshman team leader in points had his attempt saved.
The pace and physicality of the game picked up in the second half. Keith Traut notched his first career goal in the 58th minute, unassisted. The sophomore defender took a shot from 20 yards out to give UAlbany a 1-0 lead.
“I saw the opportunity to get forward and I took it,” said Traut. “I got myself into a good position and just took a shot, sometimes that's all it takes. I'm very happy to get a goal for our team in a game where we really needed one.”
Fouls and yellow cards persisted for both teams before Vermont tallied its equalizer in the 80th minute. Vermont took advantage of a rebounded save by Allen for the score.
The Great Danes buckled down in the final 10-minute stretch. A Vermont foul resulted in a set piece opportunity 35 yards out in the 85th minute. Philip Persson sent a ball far post, connecting with Brandon Wilson for the header and game-winner. The goal marked Wilson's first of the season and Persson's second assist of 2014.
UAlbany won its America East opener for the first time since 2008, and the first time under Trevor Gorman. The Purple & Gold has now won two straight against the Catamounts, and downed Vermont for the first time at home since 2010.
Allen made a career-high 11 saves between the posts for the Great Danes. The senior keeper is posting a goals against average of just 0.81 and a save percentage of .821 for the season.
UAlbany plays its final non-conference regular season game of 2014 at No. 9 Syracuse on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. That contest will be available on Time Warner Cable SportsChannel, in addition to ESPN3.
