Albany, N.Y. ? Junior Ashley Tirabassi recorded her first career multi-goal game in a Great Dane uniform, but it was Trine Allenberg's strike in the final minutes that gave Stony Brook a 3-2 victory over the University at Albany in women's soccer action at Varsity Field on Thursday, Oct. 16. It marked the second straight match that Allenberg netted the game-winning goal against UAlbany dating back to last season's 1-0 victory. Ironically, both scores came in the 86th minute.

            Stony Brook (8-6-0, AE 4-1-0) got on the board in just the third minute of action. Holly Razzaghi had the ball about 35 yards from the goal in the middle of the field. She sent it downfield and to the left side to a cutting Colleen McKenna. UAlbany goalkeeper Amber Maisonet went out to intercept the pass before backing away to defend the ensuing shot. McKenna then fired the ball to the far post to give the Seawolves a 1-0 lead.

            UAlbany (3-14-0, AE 1-4-0) answered back in the 10th minute to tie the match. Jaclyn Rosada sent a cross from the right side to Tirabassi, who pounded in a header past Stony Brook goalkeeper Amanda Hemme from eight yards out.

            The Seawolves regained the lead in the 15th minute when Collins stole the ball from the UAlbany defense and blasted a shot from 20 yards that hit the crossbar and bounced down and in, but the Great Danes answered back for the second time in the 24th minute. Defender Jenna Burke had the ball at midfield and sent it down the middle towards the goal. Tirabassi then ran through the Stony Brook defense and took a diving shot that found the back of the net. Burke, who was credited with an assist, recorded her first career point on the play.

            The Great Danes had an excellent opportunity to take their first lead when the team was awarded a corner kick in the 44th minute. Rebecca Lee's cross found Tirabassi, who rifled a low shot from inside the box in an attempt to net her first career hat trick. The ball was stopped by Hemme, bounced up and hit the crossbar, and then landed back in play in front of the goalkeeper. Before a UAlbany forward could punch in the rebound, the ball was cleared away and the match stayed deadlocked at 2-2 heading into the break.

            The teams continued to battle back and forth throughout the second half. Collins had a good chance to put the Seawolves ahead again in the 57th minute. The ball was chipped inside the box on the far left corner. Maisonet came out in an attempt to scoop the ball up, but Collins got to it first and Maisonet backed away. Collins tried to beat Maisonet one-on-one by taking a hard shot towards the far post, but Maisonet stuck her left hand out just in time and gained control of the ball to keep the match tied.

            With time winding down, Razzaghi crossed the ball from the right endline to Allenberg, who was about six yards away from the goal. It deflected off her upper body and landed in the net. The score gave Stony Brook its third lead of the match. This time, the clock ran out on the Great Danes before they could answer back again, and the Seawolves held on for the one-goal win.

            UAlbany's Maisonet made six saves on 19 chances in the losing effort. Amanda Hemme got the start for Stony Brook, stopping five of the 12 shots she faced. Marisa Viola relieved her in the second half and earned the victory. She faced eight shots and recorded two saves

            The Great Danes continue their America East Conference slate when they travel to face Binghamton on Sunday at 6 p.m.

-agate-

Stony Brook (8-6-0, AE 4-1-0)                 2          1          -           3

UAlbany (3-14-0, AE 1-4-0)                     2          0          -           2

Stony Brook: Scoring ? Colleen McKenna (1-0), Kate Collins (1-0), Trine Allenberg (1-0), Holly Razzaghi (0-2). Goalkeeping ? Amanda Hemme (45:00, 2 GA, 5 saves), Marisa Viola (45:00, 0 GA, 2 saves).

UAlbany: Scoring ? Ashley Tirabassi (2-0), Jaclyn Rosada (0-1), Jenna Burke (0-1). Goalkeeping ? Amber Maisonet (90:00, 3 GA, 6 saves).

Stony Brook 3, UAlbany 2 (Oct 16, 2008)