UAlbany Women's Soccer Battles Syracuse to the Brink with Williams Goal, Narrowly Falls 2-1
Box Score | Box Score (PDF)
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – With a Mariah Williams goal in the 48th minute, UAlbany pushed Syracuse all game, narrowly falling on an 84th minute goal for a 2-1 defeat to the Orange at the SU Soccer Stadium.
"Our effort, speed of play and qualifty were all first class today, and the product was downright impressive in various segments of the game," said acting head coach Nick Bochette. "We're never satisfied to lose matches, but the standard and grit on display today will serve us well once conference play begins."
Williams's goal is her second of the season for UAlbany (1-3), with Alexa Schneider earning the assist. Alana Brennan got the loss in goal with five saves in 90 minutes.
For Syracuse, Alexis Koval assisted both Syracuse's (2-2) goals, including Eva Gordon's equalizer in the 53rd minute and Stephanie Skilton's go-ahead score in the 84th. With three saves, Courtney Brosnan got the win in goal.
UAlbany got the first chance in the 6th minute as Caitlyn Paltsios launched a corner kick into the box. Kiana Rugar headed the ball wide of the net.
Action picked up in the 22nd minute as Syracuse kept a long possession. UAlbany fended off a couple of SU corner kicks, with a shot by Jackie Firenze being saved by Brennan.
In the 37th minute, UAlbany tried again on a corner kick sent in by Paltsios. Shelby Belak went for the goal on a header, which was saved by Brosnan. The two teams went into halftime tied at 0-0.
UAlbany earned another corner chance in the 48th minute from Paltsios. Schneider received the kick and fired for the net, hitting the crossbar. Williams got the rebound and put the ball into the net to put UAlbany up 1-0.
Syracuse fired away in the following minutes, connecting in the 53rd minute as Koval passed to Gordon for a score inside the right post, tying the game at 1-1.
Both sides tried to break through in the midfield as the time ticked away. Morgan Loder and Krista Fitzpatrick each had chances at the cage in the final third of the second half, with each being saved by Brosnan.
Koval crossed a ball for Syracuse into the box in the 84th minute. Skilton slid and kicked the ball into the net for the score, putting the Orange up 2-1.
UAlbany had a last chance in the 89th minute as Fitzpatrick took a corner kick, but no shot came. UAlbany fell to Syracuse 2-1.
UAlbany will have its home opener on Wednesday, September 2nd at 7 p.m. against Holy Cross at Bob Ford Field.
