University of Albany's Ashley Tirabassi's Milestone Goal Propels Women's Soccer Over Niagara, 1-0 - UAlbany Sports 2009

Albany, N.Y. - Senior co-captain Ashley Tirabassi scored her third goal of the season and broke the program's all-time record for career points in leading UAlbany to a 1-0 victory over Niagara in non-conference women's soccer action on Friday, Sept. 18 at Varsity Field. Tirabassi also matched the school's all-time record for career goals on the play, while freshman goalkeeper Breanna Maggio earned her second shutout of the year.

UAlbany (4-5), which already has more wins through nine matches than all of last season, was able to break through for the only goal it needed in the 13th minute. Nicole Berard sent a ball down the middle, and Tirabassi broke through the defense with only the goalkeeper to beat. She received the ball at the top of the box before sending a rocket to the back of the net. The senior now has 39 points, which eclipsed the previous program standard of 37 points set by Dee Marfé in 1983. Her 16th career goal on the play also matched the all-time mark which was set by Anna Courtney in 1982 and matched by Sara Rickard in 2004.

Niagara (3-4-1) had a few chances to get on the scoreboard before halftime, but most of their shot attempts proved to be harmless. Chiara Greco took a direct kick from just outside of the box after Adrianna Gallo was taken down by a Great Dane defender, but she tried to rush the shot before UAlbany could set up a wall and sent the ball wide right. Jennifer Kimoto's bid to redirect a long shot taken from 40 yards away was saved by Maggio, and the teams went to recess with UAlbany holding on to a one-goal lead.

The Great Danes kept the pressure on in the second half offensively, while the defense consisting of Katie Grant, Kendra Harrell-Vigil, Casey Marks and Jaclyn Rosada did not allow the Purple Eagles to take a shot on goal from inside the box in the final 45 minutes. Niagara's Brittany Benthin took a pass from Jamie Raepple and had an open look at the goal from the top of the box in the opening minutes, but her shot attempt was blocked by Harrell-Vigil, who was named the team's player of the game, and cleared away.

Despina Psomopoulos almost doubled the Great Dane lead when she charged in from the right side of the box and blasted a high shot towards the top left of the post, but goalkeeper Ashleigh Bowers reached up and made the save.

Maggie DeVerna had two golden opportunities to put the match out of reach in the final six minutes. After one open look at the goal went just wide, she took a pass from Chrissy Klepper and only had Bowers to beat. However, the goalkeeper came charging up and stuffed the shot from point-blank range. The Great Danes kept the ball in the Purple Eagles' third of the field and held on for the one-goal win.

UAlbany's Maggio made four saves on 10 opportunities in the winning effort. Niagara's Bowers registered nine stops on 22 chances and was credited with the loss.

The Great Danes conclude their three-game homestand and non-conference play when Colgate visits Varsity Field on Sunday, Sept. 20 at 1 p.m.

Niagara (3-4-1) 0 0 - 0
UAlbany (4-5) 1 0 - 1

Niagara: Scoring - None. Goalkeeping - Ashleigh Bowers (90:00, 1 GA, 9 saves).
UAlbany: Scoring - Ashley Tirabassi (1-0), Nicole Berard (0-1). Goalkeeping - Breanna Maggio (90:00, 0 GA, 4 saves).

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information