University of Albany Women's Soccer Advances to America East Championship With 1-0 Win Over Hartford - UAlbany Sports 2011

West Hartford, Conn. - A match highlighted by a relentless UAlbany defense, including goalkeeper Jackie Ubert's third complete shuout, and Shayla Bergeron's lone goal resulted in a Great Danes' victory over Hartford, 1-0, in the America East Conference Women's Soccer Semifinals on Monday, Oct. 31. UAlbany will play Boston U., on Saturday, Nov. 5, in its first America East finals match since entering the conference

With the match scoreless through the first half, UAlbany (10-9-1) found daylight in the 47th minute when Maggie DeVerna sent a short pass to the foot of Bergeron just inside the 18-yard box. Bergeron directed the shot just underneath the crossbar for the 1-0 lead. Hartford wouldn't go away, as the Hawks peppered Ubert with 13 shots, including two on net, but Ubert would deny them all to preserve the 1-0 win.

"I just tried to stay confident and calm," said Ubert, who has let the Great Danes to an undefeated record since taking over in goal for the last seven games. "Communication is a big part of being a goalkeeper. I just tried to talk as much as I could, give direction and support them."

The first half was powered by Hartford (13-3-3), as the Hawks led in shots, 3-1, and in corner kicks, 2-0. In the 13th minute, Hartford looked to grab the early lead when the Hawks' Arielle Aikens received a perfect through ball only to be denied by Ubert. In the 32nd minute, Hartford looked to capitalize from a corner kick with a header by Amelia Periera, but Ubert made another key save on Hartford's second shot on net to preserve the scoreless tie at half.

Overall, Hartford lead in shots, 16-4, and in corner kicks, 5-0. Hartford's Erin Quinlan saved two shots on three chances. UAlbany's Ubert denied all four shots that she saw.

"We have become a lot stronger and tighter as a defensive unit," said head coach Mary-Frances Monroe on her stellar defensive play. "This is huge. We've been on a nice run since two games into the conference season and ever since then we've started to connect and every game we've gotten a little bit better."

The Great Danes will face #14 Boston U. (17-2-1) on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Nickerson Field. The Terriers enter the contest on a 12-game winning streak. UAlbany fell to Boston U., 2-0, earlier this season in Albany.