Albany, N.Y. - Lauren Brodeur made 14 saves, including one on a penalty kick, and Breeana Robinson netted two goals to lead Hartford past UAlbany, 2-0, in America East Conference women's soccer action on Thursday, Oct. 22 at Varsity Field. The Great Danes outshot the Hawks by a convincing 26-8 margin, including 11-2 in the second half, but failed to capitalize on their numerous opportunities.
     UAlbany (8-8-1, AE 3-3-1) dominated the match from the opening whistle, but Brodeur came up with eight saves, including several from point-blank range, to keep the Great Danes off the scoreboard in the first half. Chelsea DeVerna had one of her many chances saved by Brodeur early in the match, while the freshman and Ashley Tirabassi were each robbed of goals by Brodeur within minutes of each other midway through the stanza.
     Hartford (5-10-2, AE 1-5-1), which had dropped four straight conference matches by one goal before this afternoon's victory, took advantage of its limited opportunities when Robinson went around a Great Dane defender and slipped the ball past an unguarded Cate Crenson from the top of the box. The Hawks took the one-goal advantage into the break.
     The Great Danes, who also held a 7-1 advantage in corner kicks, continued to outplay the Hawks in the second half and had several chances to net the equalizer. DeVerna first took an arching shot that was punched over the goal by Brodeur just in time in the 64th minute. UAlbany had another golden opportunity to tie the score up just a minute afterwards when DeVerna was tripped up in the box. However, Brodeur dove to her left to save the ensuing penalty kick taken by Rebecca Lee.
     After the Hartford goalkeeper made another diving save on an open attempt by Tirabassi, the Hawks doubled their lead in the 75th minute. Julianne Oberholtzer cleared the ball downfield where Robinson was alone with a Great Dane defender. The ball took a big bounce, and the sophomore lobbed it over Crenson's head and into the back of the net. It was Hartford's second and final shot of the second frame. The other came on a free kick that sailed wide from 25 yards away.
     The Great Danes continued to fight back and almost cut the lead in half in the 82nd minute when Kendra Harrell-Vigil arched a shot which hit off the crossbar. The ball found the foot of Casey Marks, but the freshman's attempt on the rebound was saved by Brodeur. The sophomore, a member of the league's all-rookie team last season, made two more saves to preserve the shutout win.
     UAlbany's Crenson made two stops on eight chances and was credited with the loss. She was relieved by Breanna Maggio, who did not face any shots in the final 15 minutes of the match. Brodeur was assaulted with 26 shots, but stuffed everything in her path to earn her third clean sheet of the year.
     The Great Danes will close out the regular season with America East Conference postseason implications on the line when they host Maine on Sunday, Oct. 25 at 12 p.m. Senior co-captains Jaclyn Rosada and Tirabassi will be recognized for their contributions to the program prior to the match.
-agate-
Hartford (5-10-2, AE 1-5-1)       1      1      -      2
UAlbany (8-8-1, AE 3-3-1)        0      0      -      0

Hartford: Scoring - Breeana Robinson (2-0), Mary Beth Hamilton (0-1), Julianne Obelholtzer (0-1). Goalkeeping - Lauren Brodeur (90:00, 0 GA, 14 saves).
UAlbany: Scoring - None. Goalkeeping - Cate Crenson (75:28, 2 GA, 2 saves), Breanna Maggio (14:32, 0 GA, 0 saves).

Hartford 2, UAlbany 0 (Oct. 22, 2009)

Soccer Box Score (Final)
2009 UAlbany Women's Soccer
Hartford vs Albany (Oct 22, 2009 at Albany, N.Y.)