WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – The UAlbany women's soccer team is now unbeaten in its last three games after a 76th minute goal by Mariah Williams led to a 2-2 stalemate at Hartford on Sunday afternoon.
UAlbany (5-7-1, 2-1-1 AE) outshot Hartford (9-4-1, 3-1-1 AE) 13-11 in the rematch of last year's America East Tournament title match, scoring both goals in the second half. The Great Danes stand with seven points in league play after today's draw.
“The change in our mentality in the second half attributed largely to our success,” said UAlbany head coach Caitlin Cucchiella. “A point on the road vs. a quality opponent is a great victory for us today.”
Assisting Vivian Vega's 58th minute goal, Alexa Schneider earned her 14th career assist, tying Kiana Rugar and Krista Fitzpatrick for the all-time program record.
Chloe Borasky picked up the draw for UAlbany in goal with one save in 110 minutes of play. On the other side, Jessica Jurg had the draw for Hartford off three saves in the same time period.
Bridgette Alexander and Tori Tripp scored the goals for Hartford. Tripp added an assist on Alexander's goal for three points.
In the rainy conditions in West Hartford, each side had trouble getting the offense established early. The only opportunity in the final 20 minutes came with a UAlbany corner kick, but no shot came across.
Tripp found Alexander in the 26th minute. From 18 yards out, Alexander floated a high shot over Borasky's arms and into the net for a 1-0 Hartford lead.
UAlbany defended against three more Hartford corner kicks and a Kaila Lozada shot on the cage. Hartford had a 1-0 lead at the half.
UAlbany defended against two Hartford shots before getting its first good look, seeing Williams's shot be saved by a defender. In minute 58, Vega took the cross from Schneider and scored on a first touch to tie the game at 1-1.
Hartford got the lead back in the 60th minute as Julia Carr found Tripp off a corner kick for a header goal inside the left post for a 2-1 home team advantage.
Caroline Kopp sent a corner kick into the box in the 74th minute. Schneider got a header on the ball, missing just wide.
Two minutes later, Williams stole a pass from Hartford and headed for the cage. From the top of the 18-yard box, Williams fired high and scored, tying the contest at 2-2.
UAlbany kept on the attack and pressured Hartford with two corner kick and three shots in a span of three minutes, but could not connect. The two sides would head into overtime.
The Great Danes continued to pressure in the bleak conditions, sending a cross to Vega in the 95th minute but just missing wide. A later chance by Schneider missed wide as the second overtime period came.
Hartford cleared out a Caitlyn Paltsios corner kick in the opening minute of overtime two. Kopp raced in and fired the ball back towards the cage as Jurg made a save. Paltsios later got another chance on cage with a shot, against with Jurg saving it.
Hartford had one final look in the 104th minute as Carr sent a corner kick into the box. Sierra Stone kicked for the cage, missing wide. The two sides finished in a 2-2 draw.
UAlbany will play its next two games at home, hosting New Hampshire on Thursday, October 13th at 7 p.m. at Tom & Mary Casey Stadium.
