Rugar Ties All-Time Assists Record, Olivieri Earns First Shutout as UAlbany Women's Soccer Wins at Vermont 2-0
Box Score | Box Score (PDF) | Highlights (Vermont Athletics)
BURLINGTON, Vt. – Kiana Rugar set up two Great Dane second half goals while Alana Olivieri notched a shutout on the other end as the UAlbany women's soccer team picked up an important 2-0 victory at Vermont on Sunday.
The victory for UAlbany (7-8-1, 2-3-1 AE) snaps a three-game losing streak with two home games remaining in league play. UAlbany, which outshot its opponent 21-4 in the game, is the first team to earn a shutout victory over Vermont (6-7-2, 3-3-1 AE) at Virtue Field this season.
“We were able to control the tempo and flow of the game, which resulted in the two goals,” said UAlbany head coach Caitlin Cucchiella. “Having multiple goal scorers and putting away our chances is exactly what we needed at this point in the season.”
With two assists to goals scored by Kelly Kempf and Mariah Williams, Rugar now has 12 assists in her career, tying Krista Fitzpatrick's all-time assists mark in UAlbany history.
“We've been working on driving the ball and getting in good spots for crosses, which is where Kelly [Kempf] was to put us ahead,” said Rugar. “It's exciting being tied for the assists record, and hopefully more will come to help our team make it through the season and playoffs.”
Kempf's goal in the 64th minute was the first of the season for her, while Williams's 68th minute was her fourth. Olivieri, in her second start of the year, earned her first solo shutout of her career with two saves.
Sarah Martin had two shots for Vermont to lead the team. Ally Ramos got the loss with eight saves in 10 shots on goal.
Neither side recorded a shot in the opening 14 minutes. In the 15th minute, Rugar's close range shot was punched over the crossbar by Ramos. On the ensuing corner, Savanah Courtney's shot went high.
UAlbany went on a long possession in the 27th minute as Leanne Miller fired away at the goal. Her second attempt was saved by the hand of a diving Ramos. Caroline Kopp got off a third attempt on a corner, with the shot being blocked. Vermont countered as Martin went for the goal, with Olivieri stopping the attempt.
UAlbany went for the cage a number of times in the final minutes but could not connect, going into halftime tied at 0-0.
An early shot on goal by Alexa Schneider was saved by Ramos as neither side got another shot on goal for the next 16 minutes.
In minute 64, Rugar shook a defender and crossed from the near side to Kempf. Kempf headed the ball from near the left post to the right, hitting the inside of the woodwork as the ball bounced inside the goal line for the score, making it 1-0 UAlbany.
Four minutes later, Rugar attempted a long range cross from outside the box. Williams emerged from behind a defender and headed the ball close to the original cross, sending the ball well inside the left post for the goal. UAlbany led 2-0.
The Great Danes kept up the pressure in the game as each Schneider and Allison Carhart each sending the ball to the goal but being denied by the keeper. Miller was barely denied again on a shot, slamming the crossbar in the 84th minute.
Olivieri ensured her shutout in the 89th minute, saving Sydney Cammeyer's shot on goal. UAlbany walked off the field with the 2-0 victory.
The Great Danes return to Tom & Mary Casey Stadium on Thursday, October 22nd, taking on UMass Lowell at 7 p.m.
