Defense Leads UAlbany Women's Soccer to 2-0 Shutout vs. Marist
Box Score | Box Score (PDF)
Postgame Interviews - Nick Bochette | Caitlyn Paltsios | Savanah Courtney
ALBANY, N.Y. – In a physical battle of two in-state foes on Bob Ford Field, the UAlbany women's soccer team earned a 2-0 shutout over Marist for its second-straight win on the homestand.
“They came out firing and with a whole lot of bite; we did not deal with it well first, but when we worked our way into the game, our quality started to show,” said UAlbany acting head coach Nick Bochette. “We were under pressure for the first 25-30 minutes, but for us to go against the flow of play and get a goal was massive.”
The UAlbany (3-3) defense held off eight shots on goal from Marist (1-3), with Alana Brennan making six saves in goal and the back line making two team saves. UAlbany earned its second shutout in a row.
“We definitely were under high pressure, but we possessed as a unit and our defense stayed strong,” said UAlbany midfielder Caitlyn Paltsios. “They are a physical team, but we matched them.”
Mariah Williams earned the game-winning goal, her second of the season, in the 36th minute from Kiana Rugar. Vivian Vega added the insurance goal in the 60th minute from Krista Fitzpatrick.
With assists tonight, Fitzpatrick, Rugar and Alexa Schneider all have nine assists in their respective collegiate careers, tying for second all-time in UAlbany Division I women's soccer history. The record is currently held by Maggie DeVerna, who had 10 assists for the Great Danes.
For Marist, Ashley Houghton got the loss in goal with three saves. Brianna Robinson led the team with six shots, putting three on goal.
Marist got the early possessions and pushed around UAlbany's goal box. In the sixth minute, Robinson got fed a corner kick for a close range header, sending the ball above the crossbar.
The Red Foxes made a strong counterattack in minute 12, getting players and the ball into the goalie box. A Marist shot was saved by a sliding defender for a corner. Robinson got another header on the corner, with Brennan making the catch. Marist retrieved the goal kick and tried another header with Juliette Loccisano, with Brennan making the save next to the right post.
UAlbany came down the far sideline and tried to take advantage with numbers. Rugar's pass was deflected as Leanne Miller tried to recover. Miller turned around and tried a quick shot, with Houghton picking up the ball.
Marist got a couple of opportunities on a quick strike starting the 25th minute. The Red Foxes got off three shots, capped by a header by Robinson off a corner, which hit the crossbar. UAlbany kicked the ball away to end the possession and keep the game scoreless.
After holding off Marist's attack, UAlbany, after non getting off shots on two corner kicks, got its chance in the 36th minute as Rugar pushed towards the endline in the near side of the box. She passed to Williams in the goal box, who drew the goalie and kicked the ball inside the right post for the goal, giving UAlbany a 1-0 lead.
After Allison Carhart drilled a ball from long range off a defender and out, UAlbany got a couple of corner kicks in the closing minutes, but did not get off a shot. UAlbany went into halftime up 1-0 on Marist.
The Great Danes were the early aggresors in the second half, with shots by Rugar and Carhart being saved and leading to corner kicks. UAlbany scored another goal on a quick play in the 60th minute. Marist deflected a cross to the far side of the box. Fitzpatrick recovered the ball, crossed back into the goal box to Vega, who kicked a ground ball into the net for the goal to make it 2-0 Great Danes.
The UAlbany back line continued to keep Marist from closing into the box and forced long range chances. After Brennan saved two Marist shots in a span of three minutes, neither side got another shot on goal again.
Marist had a near last chance in the 83rd minute as a shot from Erica Crosier was blocked. Marist kept close and got a corner kick, but did not get a touch on the curl. UAlbany held off the Red Foxes the rest of the way and took the 2-0 victory.
UAlbany will next play on Thursday, September 10th against Dartmouth at 5 p.m. to close out the three-game homestand.
