Women's Soccer Drops Season Opener To Syracuse, 3-1

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Junior Ashley Tirabassi found the back of the net for the eighth time of her career, but the University at Albany women’s soccer team took a 3-1 loss to Syracuse University at the SU Soccer Stadium on Friday night. Freshman Katie Norwood assisted on the Great Dane goal.

Syracuse (1-0) scored twice in the opening five minutes of the season opener for both teams to take an early 2-0 lead. Sophomore Megan Bellingham netted the first goal in the second minute, and freshman Casey Ramirez followed up with the second tally in the fourth minute of play.

Tirabassi scored the first goal of the season for UAlbany (0-1) in the sixth minute of action to cut the Orange lead in half. Norwood, who was one of seven true freshman starters for the Great Danes in the contest, was credited with her first career assist on the play.

Freshman goalkeeper Cate Crenson turned away the next three shots she faced to keep it a one-possession match over the next 30 minutes, but Syracuse’s Amanda Morris doubled her club’s lead by scoring a goal in the 35th minute.

The Great Danes, who trailed by two at the break, came out with a vengeance to start the second half by taking the first three shots on goal in the stanza. Spearheaded by freshman Katie Grant, sophomore Jenna Burke and Norwood, UAlbany’s defense did not allow the Orange to take anything on Crenson until the 75th minute. UAlbany outshot Syracuse by a count of 4-1 in the second frame, but the team could not get the ball past Syracuse junior goalkeeper Eliza Bennett-Hattan.

UAlbany’s Crenson made seven saves on 10 opportunities in her Great Dane debut and was credited with the loss. Syracuse’s Bennett-Hattan turned away four of the five shots she faced.

The Great Danes return to action on Sunday afternoon when they visit the Colgate Raiders in Hamilton, N.Y. Game time is set for 3 p.m.