Paltsios Scores Team's First Goal in 5-1 Defeat to Syracuse
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ALBANY, N.Y. – A Caitlyn Paltsios second half goal was not enough as the UAlbany women's soccer team fell to Syracuse 5-1 in the home opener at Bob Ford Field on Friday night.
Stephanie Skilton scored the first two goals for Syracuse (1-1-1) as the Orange led 3-0 at the half. After Syracuse scored a fourth, Paltsios netted a goal in the 55th minute to put UAlbany (0-2) on the board, but a fifth SU goal 80 minutes in sealed the game.
“Although the result was not what we had anticipated, I was happy to see a valiant effort put forth in the second half to come together and work for one another in a difficult situation,” said UAlbany coach Caitlin Cucchiella. “Our goal at this point is to prepare for Siena on Sunday and learn from this experience.”
Alana Brennan got six saves in goal despite the loss, while MacKenzie Moranz earned the victory with three saves and one goal allowed.
Brennan started the game with a save on a Skilton shot in the second minute. Later, a Jackie Firenze free kick was headed by Skilton into the net for a score, putting the visitors up 1-0.
UAlbany pushed to counter, getting its first chance in the 20th minute when Alexa Schneider got a ground ball shot, but Moranz got the save.
The home team defended against another Skilton shot and later a corner, but in the 26th minute, Skilton got around the keeper on a breakaway and scored for a 2-0 Syracuse lead.
UAlbany got some time in the offensive side of the field, with an Allison Carhart shot going high and getting a corner by Stephanie Nelle. Syracuse countered, and after Brennan saved a Syracuse shot, the rebound was kicked by Alex Lamontagne into the cage in the 32nd minute, giving Syracuse a 3-0 lead.
Schneider got another attempt later in the half with a header, but the ball went wide. UAlbany was down 3-0 at the break.
After some back and forth play to begin the second half, Syracuse got numbers on the far side, seeing Sheridan Street and Maya Pitts set up Erin Simon for a goal just inside the right post for a 4-0 Syracuse advantage at the 52:51 mark.
UAlbany got its opportunity in the 55th minute on a number of chances. Paltsios took a corner kick that saw Leanne Miller take a shot that was blocked. Vivian Vega tried next with her shot being saved, then Paltsios took the third attempt and scored, giving UAlbany its first goal of the year and pulling within three 4-1.
The team's freshmen saw chances in the following minutes, with shots from Vega and Morgan Loder going wide. Krista Fitzpatrick had an opportunity in the 65th minute, getting a shot blocked and trying again on the rebound attempt, but Moranz got the save.
Teams continued to trade possession, until when the scoreboard hit 80:00, Pitts led a 3 vs. 1 breakaway, passing to the near side to Alexis Muraco for the score against UAlbany goalkeeper Alana Olivieri, pushing the lead to 5-1 Syracuse, the eventual final score.
UAlbany will take on crosstown-rival Siena on Sunday, August 31st at 7 p.m. at Bob Ford Field.
