University of Albany Women's Soccer Wins Home Opener, 2-1, Over Youngstown State

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – Sophomore Teresa Boring’s goal off a cross from senior co-captain Diana Barrera in the second half helped lead the University at Albany women’s soccer team to a 2-1 victory over Youngstown State in the club’s home opener at Varsity Field on Friday, Sept. 5. Barrera, who now has eight career assists, needs just one more helper to match and two more to break Dee Marfé’s school record of nine career assists.
“I think we came out a little bit slow,” said head coach Mary-Frances Monroe. “This was probably our weakest performance of the season so far, but I am still proud of the girls for being able to find a way to win.”

UAlbany (2-2) got on the scoreboard first in the 19th minute of action. Jenna Burke had the ball on the left side from about 35 yards out and lobbed it inside the 18-yard box. Tirabassi won the ball over several Penguin defenders and created her own shot from about eight yards away to give the Great Danes a 1-0 lead that they would take into the recess.

“We are more well-rounded as a team this year, and we work off each other much better than we have in the past,” said Tirabassi, who has scored three goals in four games this season after netting seven goals in her first two years on the squad. “I think that has allowed me to get better passes from my teammates so I can put the ball in the net.”

In the second half, UAlbany doubled its lead in the 62nd minute. Barrera had the ball on the left side near the endline and chipped a cross to the middle. Through a pack of players from both teams, Boring headed the ball home past junior goalkeeper Mariah Snyder for what would stand as the game-winning goal.

On the other side of the ball, UAlbany freshman goalkeeper Cate Crenson came up with several key saves to keep Youngstown State (0-3) off the scoreboard. After getting beat by Jordan Gapczynski on a breakaway opportunity, the freshman was able to recover and save Gapzynski’s shot on goal behind her back which would have landed in the right corner of the net in the 79th minute. One minute later, Crenson saved a point blank shot on goal by Kate Bonn from less than six yards out off a corner kick taken by Gapcznski.

“Cate came up huge for us,” said Monroe. “Getting a point blank save off a corner kick and then stopping a breakaway opportunity really kept us in the match and helped seal the win.”

After several missed opportunities, Carrie Wack cut the Great Dane lead in half with a breakaway goal in the 80th minute after taking a pass from Natalie Brady. However, the UAlbany defense did not allow the Penguins to get any shots off the rest of the way and the team held on for the one-goal win.

UAlbany's Crenson made seven saves on eight chances and was credited with the win. Youngstown State's Snyder turned away nine of the 11 shots she faced on net and took the loss.

The Great Danes return to action on Sunday when they visit the Brown Bears in Providence, R.I. at 6 p.m.

Youngstown State (0-3) 0 1 - 1
UAlbany (2-2) 1 1 - 2

UAlbany: Scoring – Ashley Tirabassi (1-0), Teresa Boring (1-0), Diana Barrera (0-1). Goalkeeping – Cate Crenson (90:00, 1 GA, 7 saves).

Youngstown State: Scoring – Carrie Wack (1-0), Natalie Brady (0-1). Goalkeeping – Mariah Snyder (90:00, 2 GA, 9 saves).