Box Score | Box Score (PDF)
HANOVER, N.H. – With Alana Brennan holding firm in the cage on 10 saves, the UAlbany women's soccer team played to a draw with Dartmouth 0-0 on the road on Wednesday night.
“Getting a point on the road proved to be a successful night for us,” said UAlbany coach Caitlin Cucchiella. “Dartmouth is a quality team that has played Pac-12 opponents, and because of our focus and mentality, we showed that we will be able to compete with anyone this season.”
Brennan's 10 saves is a season-high as UAlbany (1-4-1) was outshot by Dartmouth (0-2-1) 22-11 in the game.
“Tonight, I felt the entire team stayed strong defensively and offensively for 110 minutes, and we can stay strong against any opponent,” said Brennan.
Alexa Schneider had a team-best four shots, with two on goal. Krista Fitzpatrick had a pair with one on goal.
For Dartmouth, Jackie Friedman contributed four shots, with four others having a trio. With five saves, Tatiana Saunders had the draw for the Big Green.
The Big Green got the first strong possession, with three shots in the opening seven minutes. First shot went high, with the next two being stopped by Brennan.
UAlbany got its first strong opportunity in the 25th minute, threatening with corner kicks. Fitzpatrick got a header shot off, but was blocked. Three minutes later, Schneider had her chance, but Saunders saved the header.
The home team got a corner kick in the waning minutes of the half. Friedman put the ball into the box for a header by Brittany Champagne as Brennan grabbed the ball for the save. Kelsey Luke countered and tried a quick shot outside the box, resulting in the ball going above the net. Both sides were tied at 0-0 into the half.
A quick start to the second half saw Fitzpatrick get a corner kick in the period's opening minute, but no shot came about for UAlbany.
UAlbany had to protect against a very aggressive Big Green squad in the second half as Dartmouth made 12 shots in the period. From minutes 53 through 63, Dartmouth took four shots, with none going in.
Angela Luizzi tried to relieve the pressure with a shot outside the penalty area in the 65th minute, but Saunders made the save on the ground. Dartmouth countered as Kendall Kraus went for the net, sailing a shot high.
In minute 72, Dartmouth got chances in the penalty box from Lindsay Knutson and Melanie Vangel, with each getting saved. The ball stayed in Dartmouth's offensive third as the team drew a corner, but did not get a shot off.
The Great Danes got chances in the 80th minute on a breakaway. Vivian Vega tried a turnaround shot but was blocked. UAlbany kept the ball moving and drew a foul just outside the goal box. Caitlyn Paltsios went for the goal on the free kick, sending the ball just high over the crossbar.
Dartmouth got a last chance in the 88th minute with Laura Thurber heading a corner in the box in a crowd, with Brennan grabbing the ball for a save. The game went into overtime.
In the first overtime, Kelly Kempf got free in the first minute and sent a long shot towards the corner. Saunders extended her arm and knocked the ball away. Two minutes later, Paltsios got a corner kick, but a shot did not come.
After each side exchanged a shot and save, the 100th minute saw Dartmouth fire away at the goal twice. The first chance from Kate Castillo was saved by Brennan, the second by Knutson 20 seconds later was blocked. Two later corner kicks did not see shots as the first overtime period expired.
Again UAlbany got the first shot in the opening minute of an overtime period. Schneider took aim from the far side to the left post, missing wide left.
Dartmouth earned three corner kicks in a span of three minutes, but none saw shots. An offsides on Dartmouth ended the opportunity.
In the game's final minute, UAlbany made a push down the near side. The ball came to Schneider, who lined a kick off the top of the crossbar, just missing a chance for the win. The other way, Champagne got off a shot in the waning seconds, but Brennan's 10th save sealed the game to a 0-0 draw.
UAlbany returns home for a weekend homestand at Bob Ford Field, taking on Rhode Island on Friday, September 12th at 5 p.m.
