Vega, Rugar Each Earn Four-Point Day as UAlbany WSOC Takes Down Saint Peter's 5-0
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ALBANY, N.Y. – Led by a four-goal charge in the second half, the UAlbany women's soccer team crushed Saint Peter's 5-0 on Sunday, with Vivian Vega and Kiana Rugar each earning four points.
Vega earned a pair of goals for UAlbany (2-5-1) on eight shots, while Rugar netted a goal and two assists off seven shots.
“”It feels good to get the win today,” said Vega. “It came from the team, starting from the defense to the front.”
“We have been working hard, and it has shown,” added Rugar. “We are focused on the next game after a strong performance today.”
It is the first shutout victory for UAlbany since October 27, 2013, a 2-0 win over UMass Lowell, and the largest margin of victory for the Great Danes since September 24, 2006, when UAlbany defeated Howard 6-0. The Great Danes outshot the Peacocks 40-12 in the contest.
"We got a good result today, and that is because our team had a common goal," said UAlbany coach Caitlin Cucchiella. "They decided to commit and support one another, and in doing so, we score some great goals."
Alexa Schneider and Bianca Webb each netted a goal in the second half for UAlbany. Krista Fitzpatrick assisted two goals. Shelby Belak also picked up an assist, as did Kelsey Luke and Morgan Loder, each earning their first collegiate point. Alana Brennan earned the victory, saving four shots in 79:30, with Alana Olivieri finishing the shutout with two saves.
For Saint Peter's (0-6-0), Ashley Drozd led the team with three shots, including two on goal. Goalkeeper Lauren Solene got the loss, saving 17 shots with five goals allowed.
The first couple of minutes were wild, with an early Vega shot being saved by Solene in the first 30 seconds. St. Peter's countered with two shots in the following two minutes, the first being saved and the second going high. The first eight minutes saw seven shots being made and none connecting.
UAlbany nearly got its first goal in the 12th minute on a shot from Kelly Kempf. The shot just hit the crossbar and went left away from the goal.
The team stayed on the offensive third, and in the 20th minute, a Rugar shot was blocked by the keeper in front of her to a running Vega, who kicked the ball into the net for a 1-0 UAlbany lead.
Later in the 29th and 30th minutes, Webb kicked towards the goal, with both shots being saved. Shortly after, a Caitlyn Paltsios corner kick saw Allison Carhart try for the goal, just missing the let post. The Great Danes got four more shots on goal, with Solene saving each. UAlbany went into the half up 1-0.
UAlbany had numerous breakaway attempts in the opening minutes of the second half, with shots going just outside the woodwork. In the 52nd minute, Fitzpatrick kicked a pass downfield to Rugar on a breakaway. Rugar, 1-on-1 against the keeper, kicked the ball inside the left post for the score, making it 2-0 UAlbany.
The chances kept coming, with the Saint Peter's defense saving three shots in a span of 100 seconds.
With 60:22 elapsed, Rugar passed the ball through two defenders to an open Schneider. Schneider kicked from 15 yards out into the net for the score. Less than a minute later, UAlbany grabbed the ball quickly and started a breakaway. Fitzpatrick passed to Belak on the far side. Belak crossed to Vega, who turned around and kicked the ball into the cage for the goal, the second goal in 49 seconds. UAlbany stood with a 4-0 advantage.
The Great Danes continued to play aggressively, with all active players getting into the mix. In the 89th minute, a shot from Luke went high above the crossbar. The resulting goal kick went to her, resulting in a pass to Loder, who kicked to a wide open Webb. Webb, straight-away from the goal in the box, fired and scored, putting UAlbany up 5-0 for the eventual final score.
UAlbany will rest up and play Columbia on the road on Friday, September 19th at 7 p.m. in New York City.
