University of Albany's Klepper & Tirabassi Score to Lead Women's Soccer to Win at A-East Leader Stony Brook - UAlbany Sports 2009

Stony Brook, N.Y. - Chrissy Klepper and Ashley Tirabassi netted first-half goals and Cate Crenson made eight saves to lead UAlbany to a 2-0 victory over Stony Brook in America East Conference women's soccer action on Sunday, Oct. 18 at LaValle Stadium. With the victory, the Great Danes knocked the Seawolves out of first place and finished the day tied for fourth in the league standings with two matches left.

UAlbany (8-7-1, AE 3-2-1), which has recorded its highest single-season win total since posting 10 victories in 1988, took advantage of a free kick to net the first goal in the 26th minute. Rebecca Lee crossed the ball over to Chrissy Klepper, and the sophomore fired a shot past Marisa Viola, the conference's goalkeeper of the year last season, to the center of the net from 15 yards out.

Ashley Tirabassi, who broke the program record for career goals in Thursday's 1-0 win over UMBC, doubled the Great Dane lead in the 40th minute when she dribbled to the center of the 18-yard box and unleashed a shot which landed in the lower right corner of the goal. Lee was credited with her second assist of the match on the play. Cate Crenson, who entered today's action leading the league in save percentage, came through with five saves in the opening 45 minutes to keep the Great Danes ahead by two goals at the break.

Stony Brook (6-8-2, AE 5-1-1), which had taken over first place last Thursday by snapping Boston University's 21-game unbeaten streak against America East opponents, could not find its rhythm in the second half to trim the deficit. Anchored by Kendra Harrell-Vigil and Casey Marks, the Great Dane defense did not allow the Seawolves to attempt a shot until the 60th minute. Crenson came up with three more key stops, and the visitors held on for the win.

UAlbany's Crenson turned away eight of the 16 shots she faced to record her fourth career shutout, a mark which has been unmatched by any Great Dane goalkeeper in the program's Division I era. Stony Brook's Viola made four saves on 14 opportunities as the hosts had their six-game unbeaten streak snapped.

The Great Danes will be in a position to clinch their first-ever bid to the six-team America East Tournament on Thursday, Oct. 22 when they host Hartford at 3 p.m.

UAlbany (8-7-1, AE 3-2-1) 2 0 - 2
Stony Brook (6-8-2, AE 5-1-1) 0 0 - 0

UAlbany: Scoring - Chrissy Klepper (1-0), Ashley Tirabassi (1-0), Rebecca Lee (0-2). Goalkeeping - Cate Crenson (90:00, 0 GA, 8 saves).

Stony Brook: Scoring - None. Goalkeeping - Marisa Viola (90:00, 2 GA, 4 saves).

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information