University of Albany W Soccer Edges Stony Brook; Hosts Vermont in Thursday's America East Quarterfinal Match - UAlbany Sports 2011

Stony Brook, N.Y. - Senior Chrissy Klepper scored the game-winner with an unassisted goal off a free kick to lead UAlbany to a 2-1 win over Stony Brook in America East Conference women's soccer action on Sunday afternoon at LaValle Stadium. The Great Danes, who secured the No. 3 seed in the upcoming America East Championship, will host sixth-seeded Vermont on Thursday at 2 p.m. in the quarterfinals of the league tournament.

After a scoreless first half, UAlbany ended the drought with a goal in the 61st minute. Senior Katie Grant took a long cross from Harrison from the right wing. Grant and Stony Brook goalkeeper Chelsea Morales both went for the ball, but Grant got there first, heading it into the net. Ten minutes later, Klepper netted what would prove to be the game-winner, taking an assist off Amy Harrison's free kick from 45 yards out on the right wing. Morales misplayed the ball in the air, and Klepper knocked it across the goal line for the score.

The Seawolves attempted a late comeback, as Sa'sha Kershaw scored a goal in the 74th minute to cut the UAlbany lead to one. Christi Casamassina sent a crossing pass from the right wing, were Kershaw collected the ball and slipped it past UAlbany netminder Jackie Ubert with two taps.

UAlbany held a 19-13 shot advantage, including a 13-8 tally in the second half, and also took three corner kicks to Stony Brook's one. Ubert played a complete game between the pipes for the Great Danes, recording five saves, while Morales stopped seven UAlbany shots for Stony Brook (4-12-1, AE 2-5-1).

UAlbany wraps up the regular season with a 7-9-1 overall record, posting a 5-2-1 ledger in America East play. The Great Danes have not lost a game since October 2, notching four straight victories before settling for a tie against league-leader Hartford on Thursday. UAlbany defeated Vermont (5-9-4, AE 3-4-1), 2-1, in the regular-season meeting between the two teams. The winner will face No. 2 seed Hartford on Sunday at 2 p.m.