Rugar's Overtime Goal Sends UAlbany Women's Soccer to the America East Title Game in 2-1 Win vs. Vermont
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Highlights
America East Championship Central
ALBANY, N.Y. – During a back and forth battle under the lights of Casey Stadium, a feed from Mariah Williams found Kiana Rugar, who kicked the ball off the goalie's hand inside the right post to send the 2-seed UAlbany women's soccer team to the America East title game on the 2-1 overtime victory over 3-seed Vermont.
It is the first since 2011 that UAlbany (10-8-1) will play in the America East title game, set for Sunday, November 8th at 2 p.m. at 1-seed Hartford, which defeated 4-seed Maine 1-0 on Sunday. The program is seeking its first-ever America East Tournament title.
“It is an unbelievable feeling; the team, the staff and all the components came through tonight,” said UAlbany head coach Caitlin Cucchiella, who leads the Great Danes to the team's first winning and double digit win season since 2010. “The team was committed to the game plan and then changing tactics in overtime, which resulted in the victory.”
For the contest, it is the first time this year that UAlbany won a game when its opponent netted the first goal. UAlbany has now won four straight matches, outscoring its opposition 9-1 in that span.
In the overtime period, Williams sprinted down the sideline, got the pass and went around a defender in the 97th minute. She crossed the ball to the middle towards a running Rugar, who kicked a ground ball. The ball hit the goalie's hands and rolled just inside the right post for the golden goal score.
“We worked a lot in practice on those layered runs, and Mariah [Williams] hit a perfect ball to me, and I went for the one touch,” said Rugar.
“Before overtime, we talked about putting dangerous balls behind the line, and on the last one, we were able to put it home,” said Cuccheilla.
UAlbany had to come back against Vermont (8-8-2), which was leading after a 67th minute goal by Nikki McFarland. Alexa Schneider got the equalizer from Krista Fitzpatrick and Caitlyn Paltsios in the 70th minute, then Rugar's score in the 97th sealed the game. Fitzpatrick's assist gives her 14 in her career, adding to her program record.
Alana Olivieri earned the victory in goal, saving six shots in seven attempts on the goal. She had a key diving save in the last minute of regulation on a shot from Dana Buckhorn. Since stepping into the starting role, she is 4-1 in the cage.
Savana Yurikc assisted McFarland's goal for the Catamounts. Ally Ramos got the loss with two saves in goal.
The first half did not see either side establish long possessions. Caroline Kopp went for a long shot in the 13th minute, seeing it blocked by a defender. A second attempt from Fitzpatrick went high.
UAlbany almost took the lead in the 34th minute as Vivian Vega got a feed for a looping shot. Ramso got a hand on the ball and pushed it into the crossbar, stopping the chance. The two sides eventually went into halftime tied at 0-0.
In the 53rd minute, a free kick got past the Vermont keeper. Schneider kicked to the net, but a defender stopped the shot and sent the ball away.
As Vermont kept getting possession in the midfield, Yurick passed to McFarland next to the back line in the 67th minute. McFarland got past the defenders and fired the ball on the ground inside the left post to put the Catamounts on the board 1-0.
On a free kick, Fitzpatrick's feed was headed by Paltsios over Ramos's head. Schneider ran towards the goal and pushed it with her torso into the net for the score, tying the game 1-1 in the 70th minute.
The action picked up as each side get more aggressive on passing and shooting. Vermont had the best chance in the final minute as Buckhorn pounded a shot from 20 yards out. Olivieri dove towards the right post and knocked the ball out of bounds. Vermont went quickly on the corner as Sydney Cammeyer went for a closing seconds shot from long range as the ball went right to Olivieri. The game went into overtime.
Immediately into overtime, Vermont attacked on its first chance. A long kick from Vermont hit the crossbar and fell into the middle of the goal box. A scrum ensued as both sides tried to get to the ball, with a foul on Vermont ending the possession. Minutes later, Sarah Martin tried twice on shots, the first being blocked and the second being stopped by Olivieri.
In minute 97, UAlbany got its first look as Schneider passed to Williams on the run. Williams got around her defender and fed Rugar for the kick and score, giving UAlbany the 2-1 golden goal victory.
