Two Fitzpatrick Goals Extends UAlbany WSOC Unbeaten Streak to Three in 2-2 Tie at UMass Lowell
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LOWELL, Mass. – Two Krista Fitzpatrick goals led the UAlbany women's soccer team to a draw with UMass Lowell 2-2 on the road Thursday night, extending the squad's unbeaten streak to three games.
Fitzpatrick scored in each half for UAlbany (5-7-3, 2-1-1 AE), assisted by Alexa Schneider and Kiana Rugar in the first and second periods respectively. Alana Brennan got the tie in goal, saving three shots.
“We were able to get a point on the road tonight, so we will take it,” said UAlbany coach Caitlin Cucchiella. “Both teams played with a lot of heart and emotion. This game will ultimately make us stronger going forward.”
For UMass Lowell (4-8-1, 1-2-1 AE), Shannon Groffie and Emily Duchesne each netted goals, with the former adding an assist. Jill Carlson saved three shots for the tie.
UAlbany got its first chance in the sixth minute on a counter play. A pass from Rugar found Vivian Vega in the box. Near two defenders, Vega kicked the ball out to Fitzpatrick, who shot from outside the penalty box, sending the ball high above the bar.
In the 20th minute, UAlbany went on the attack, putting a pair of players on the far side outside the box. Schneider fired a cross towards the post, pulling the goalie forward. Fitzpatrick received the ball near the left post and kicked the ball into the center of the net for the score to make it 1-0 UAlbany.
UMass Lowell responded in the 23rd minute. On the offensive end, Emily Bracken got free near side and passed to a group of players. Shannon Groffie got the ball, kicked from outside the box and scored inside the left post for the goal, tying the game at 1-1.
With 10 minutes left in the first half, UML tried another counter. Bracken took the ball to the end line and tried to cross it, but went too close to the goal as the attempt was caught by Brennan.
UML saw another opportunity later as a couple of headers were hit around the in box, with Abby Dicredico going for the left post and Brennan making the save standing in place. The teams went into the locker room tied at 1-1.
Three minutes into the second half, UAlbany forced the ball into the box after a corner kick. As UML looked to clear away from the end line, Kelly Kempf stopped the pass and took a shot for the left post 10 yards out, missing inches to the left.
In the 57th minute, UAlbany got a corner kick attempt. Fitzpatrick put the cross to Paltsios for a header about 10 yards away, with the ball going high above the net.
At the 64:11 mark, Rugar passed the ball to a wide open Fitzpatrick on the far corner of the penalty box. Fitzpatrick dribbles once and kicked hard, netting the ball inside the right post past the diving keeper for her second score, giving UAlbany a 2-1 lead.
UML sped down on a counter in the 76th minute, seeing Carolyn Ragon get open for a shot just inside the penalty box, missing high and wide.
Two minutes later, Fitzpatrick and Rugar led a breakaway, with the former getting off a long shot, but the ball being saved. Fitzpatrick got another shot off five minutes later, again being saved by Carlson.
With under three minutes to play, Groffie arced a corner kick to Emily Duchesne for the header into the net, tying the game at 2-2.
Leanne Miller took a long range shot in the waning minutes, with the ball being saved by Carlson. The teams went to overtime with a 2-2 tie score.
UAlbany's best chance came in the 99th minute of overtime when Schneider got the ball just outside the box in front of two defenders. Kicking hard, her shot was blocked away. The two sides went into a second overtime.
Halfway through the final period, Vega took the ball on the far side, finding Fitzpatrick in the middle of the box. Fitzpatrick passed to a flying Belak down the far side for the first touch kick, missing just right.
UAlbany had the last chance on a quick attempt as Rugar found a running Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick kicked quickly, just missing wide left. Time expired as the two sides finished in a draw 2-2.
UAlbany will play its next game on the road as well, taking on in-state rival Binghamton on Thursday, October 16 at 7 p.m.
