Women's Soccer Edged By Sacramento State, 1-0, in Season Opener

Sacramento, Calif. - Junior Leah Larot's first marker of the season in the 29th minute of action led Sacramento State to a 1-0 victory over the UAlbany women's soccer team at Hornet Soccer Field on Friday, Aug. 28. The Great Danes held a commanding 16-9 advantage in shot attempts in their season opener, but Hornet goalkeeper Savannah Abercrombie turned away everything and got some help from her defense to earn her first shutout of the season and ninth of her career.

UAlbany (0-1) threatened to go ahead early when Maggie DeVerna, one of five freshmen starting for the Great Danes, took a cross and fired a shot to the far post that got past Abercrombie and appeared to be heading for the back of the net just 44 seconds after kick-off. However, Hornet defender Christina Trenton dove in front of the ball just in time and was credited with a team save to keep the match scoreless. Sacramento State (1-0-1), which opened its season with a 1-1 tie against rival UC-Davis earlier in the week, had a chance to get on the scoreboard in the ninth minute of action, but Ashley Forbes' shot attempt hit off the crossbar and was successfully cleared.

Following several more missed opportunities for both sides, the Hornets were able to break through with the only goal they needed in the 29th minute. Elece McBride made a cross from the right side towards the far post which was deflected by UAlbany freshman goalkeeper Breanna Maggio right to the foot of Larot, who slid the ball in the net to give the Hornets a 1-0 lead. UAlbany's Ashley Tirabassi made an attempt to tie the match up in the 32nd minute of play, but her shot hit the crossbar and the teams went to the recess with the Hornets still holding on to a one-goal lead.

UAlbany continued pounding Abercrombie with shots in the second half and had several chances to force overtime through the waning minutes of play. The team's best attempt in the stanza came in the 86th minute. Tirabassi sent a laser from 10 yards out on the right side, but Abercrombie punched away the ball into a group of defenders, and it was cleared out before any of the Great Danes up front had a chance to score the equalizer on the open net.

UAlbany's Maggio, who made her collegiate debut in goal for the Great Danes, turned away one of the five shots she faced in the first half and was credited with the loss. She was relieved by Cate Crenson in the second half, who stopped two Hornet shots on four chances. Abercrombie of Sacramento State recorded six saves on 16 opportunities and was credited with the win.

The Great Danes conclude their West Coast trip to begin the 2009 season when they visit Pacific University of the Big West Conference on Sunday, Aug. 30 at 3 p.m. ET.

UAlbany (0-1) 0 0 - 0
Sacramento State (1-0-1) 1 0 - 1

UAlbany: Scoring - None. Goalkeeping - Breanna Maggio (45:00, 1 GA, 1 save), Cate Crenson (45:00, 0 GA, 2 saves).

Sacramento State: Scoring - Leah Larot (1-0), Elece McBride (0-1). Goalkeeping - Savannah Abercrombie (90:00, 0 GA, 6 saves).

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information