Score: UAlbany 2, Villanova 0
 
Location: Tom & Mary Casey Stadium in Albany, N.Y.
 
Records: UAlbany (1-1-0) | Villanova (0-1-0)
 
Short Story: UAlbany men's soccer opens its 2023 home schedule with a shutout victory over BIG EAST foe Villanova, 2-0.
 
Key Stats

• Jeff Thielmann scored one goal and recorded one assist
• Caleb Vallance scored his first career goal
• UAlbany outshot Villanova 17-8, including 11-2 in the first half
• UAlbany drew 13 corner kicks

Head Coach Trevor Gorman: "We're really happy with tonight's performance and result.  Our guys came out with great purpose and set the tone against a quality Big East opponent.  We felt like we had great control in the first half and adjusted well in the second.  We continued to create chances and keep pressure on.  We are looking forward to working hard this week to continue to try and improve."
 
How it Happened

• The University at Albany men's soccer program opened its home schedule for the 2023 season against BIG EAST opponent Villanova.  When these two teams last met, in the 2021 season, the Great Danes knocked off the Wildcats 1-0 on the road.
• UAlbany pressed its advantage early in the first half, to the tune of 11 total shots in the first 45 minutes.  On the other end, the Great Danes' defense allowed just two shots for Villanova before halftime
• Caleb Vallance gave UAlbany its first scoring chance, redirecting a header in the box in the 21st minute, but right at Villanova goalkeeper Keny Dickey.
• In the 33rd minute, UAlbany drew a penalty after Villanova's Foday Bangura committed a handball in the box.  Jeff Thielmann converted the ensuing penalty kick to put UAlbany up 1-0.
• UAlbany went into halftime holding the same 1-0 lead.  In addition to their advantage in shots taken, the Great Danes also drew seven corner kicks, while allowing just one, and controlled 59% of the first-half possession.
• UAlbany drew a second penalty kick in the 51st minute.  Saad Faiz stepped up to take the attempt, but his effort was met by a diving save from Dickey to keep the game at 1-0.
• Thielmann had another chance to score, this time from the field, in the 67th minute, but his attempt was blocked in the middle of the Villanova box by the Wildcats' defense.
• Thielmann connected with Vallance in the 80th minute for Vallance's first career goal to put UAlbany up 2-0.
• Villanova nearly responded immediately, in the 82nd, when Balthi Saunders ripped a shot from 25 yards out.  Shafique Wilson stepped up and met the shot to end the threat. 
• UAlbany went on to secure the 2-0 victory over the Wildcats, finishing with a shots advantage of 17-8, a corner kicks advantage of 13-3, and a possession advantage of 58%. 

Next: UAlbany hosts Niagara on September 1.