University of Albany's Tirabassi's Record-Breaking Goal Lifts Women's Soccer Over UMBC, 1-0, in A-East Play - UAlbany Sports 2009

Baltimore, Md. - Senior captain Ashley Tirabassi eclipsed the all-time school record for career goals in leading UAlbany to a 1-0 win over UMBC in an America East Conference women's soccer match on Thursday afternoon at UMBC Stadium. The Great Danes outshot the Retrievers by a decisive 20-1 margin to post their sixth shutout victory of the season and remain unbeaten on the road against league opponents.

UAlbany (7-7-1, AE 2-2-1), which has recorded its highest single-season win total since posting 10 victories in 1988, got on the scoreboard before UMBC (2-11-1, AE 1-4-0) could attempt a shot. Katie Grant came down the left side and crossed the ball into the box, and Tirabassi headed it past goalkeeper Mo Van Vlerah to provide all the insurance the Great Danes needed in the 18th minute. It was Tirabassi's 17th career goal, breaking the old standard of 16 set by Anna Courtney in 1982 and matched by Sara Rickard in 2004.

The Great Danes continued to apply pressure offensively in the second stanza, while the defense being anchored by Kendra Harrell-Vigil and Casey Marks continued to be impenetrable. Tirabassi almost scored her second goal of the match in the 82nd minute, but defender Erin Johnson was credited with a team save when she cleared the ball away just before it could cross the goal line. The visitors kept the ball in the Retrievers' end until the final whistle to hold on for the one-goal win.

UAlbany's Crenson turned away the only shot she faced to record her third shutout victory of the fall. UMBC's Van Vlerah made nine saves on 20 chances and suffered the loss.

The Great Danes will play their final road match of the regular season when they visit Stony Brook on Sunday, Oct. 18 at 2 p.m.

UAlbany (7-7-1, AE 2-2-1) 1 0 - 1
UMBC (2-11-1, AE 1-4-0) 0 0 - 0

UAlbany: Scoring - Ashley Tirabassi (1-0), Katie Grant (0-1). Goalkeeping - Cate Crenson (90:00, 0 GA, 1 save).

UMBC: Scoring - None. Goalkeeping - Mo Van Vlerah (90:00, 1 GA, 9 saves).


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information