SCORE: UAlbany 4, Holy Cross 3
LOCATION: Hart Turf Field & Hart Track - Worcester, Mass.
RECORDS: UAlbany 5-2, 0-0 America East | Holy Cross 2-4, 0-0 Patriot League
SHORT STORY: Holy Cross got an early lead but the Great Danes came back with a fire and scored three goals in the second half for the win, Friday evening.
COACH PHIL SYKES: "It was a great game and a tale of two halves. We came out flat and they were ready to play. In the second half, we found some energy and momentum. I am so proud of our girls who never stopped battling. We had great goals to tie the game late and an amazing game-winner."
KEY STATS
HOW IT HAPPENED
- UAlbany immediately took possession of the ball and earned a penalty corner within a minute of action but it was Holy Cross scoring the first goal of the game in the eighth minute.
- Answering back, the Great Danes scored on their first corner of the second quarter. With an insert from Indy van Ek, Mara Küskes scored with a sweep on the angle.
- Just over two minutes later, the Crusaders took a 2-1 lead.
- Within four minutes of UAlbany scoring, Holy Cross had added two goals for a 3-1 advantage heading into halftime.
- The Great Danes opened the second half once again scoring on their first corner attempt. This time it was Pilar Lorenzini credited with the goal off a quick tap from Olivia Bell.
- Twenty five scoreless minutes later, Emma Peeters clears the goal for an extra UAlbany fielder with 3:27 on the clock.
- Not even 30 seconds later, a yellow card is given to the team and the Great Danes are back to 10 fielders for the remainder of the contest.
- Bell interrupted a Crusader pass and brought the ball up 25 yards from the 50-yard line where freshman Jette Kurz took over. After dribbling for a bit, the rookie inserted the ball into the circle. Lorenzini fought to gain control and, after dodging a couple of defenders, shot the ball into the net for the game-tying goal with 2:34 on the clock.
- With Peeters back in goal, the Great Danes did not stop fighting despite still being down a fielder.
- UAlbany earned a corner with just over a minute remaining in regulation. Collecting a rebounded shot from Lorenzini, Küskes turned around for a backwards attempt and scored what proved to be the game-winning goal.
- The Crusaders attempted to come back but the Great Danes were able to keep the attack out of the circle for the final minute of action and earn the comeback victory, 4-3.
NEXT: The Great Danes will return to Massachusetts to play at UMass on Sunday (Sept. 21).
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