University of Albany W Soccer Crushes Vermont 6-0 in Top Offensive Output Since 2012 - UAlbany Sports 2014

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports

ALBANY, N.Y. – The UAlbany women’s soccer team finished the weekend homestand in strong fashion, dominating Vermont in a 6-0 victory on Sunday.

“I am so proud and humbled by the performance our team put forth today,” said UAlbany coach Caitlin Cucchiella. “Over the last few games, we have decided to be more consistent and play for one another, and it has shown on the field.”

It is the top offensive output for the Great Danes since September 2^nd, 2012, when the team defeated UNC Asheville 6-3 on the road.  It is the first 6-0 victory, and first win by six goals, since the team beat Howard 6-0 on September 24, 2006.  It is also the second six-goal performance at home for the Great Danes in DI history, with the other coming on September 17, 2006 in a 6-1 win vs. NJIT.

“I am very excited that multiple players have been integral on offense, making us dangerous,” added Cucchiella.

UAlbany (5-7-2, 2-1-0 AE) scored in the third minute off a Caitlyn Paltsios goal and did not relinquish the lead to Vermont (3-8-1, 1-2-0 AE) the rest of the game.  Leanne Miller scored two goals, including a key score with four seconds left in the half off a corner kick.

“I felt I had to get that shot, it gave us a lot of momentum to go into the next half,” said Miller.

Vivian Vega, Kiana Rugar and Allison Carhart all scored second half goals.  Alexa Schneider tied a school game-record with three assists, while Krista Fitzpatrick had a pair of assists.  Alana Brennan earned the shutout victory with two saves in 90 minutes.

“We did what we worked on all week, finishing on set pieces and doing well on crosses. We knew we had to fight for 90 minutes today,” said Fitzpatrick.

For Vermont, Ally Ramos got the loss, allowing five goals with nine saves in 67:52.

Off a corner kick from Fitzpatrick, Paltsios scored off the rebound for the goal to make it 1-0 in the third minute.

Vermont got opportunities in the coming minutes, with Dana Buckhorn sending two shots towards the goal and missing.

In the 18^th minute, UAlbany had a chance with Vega taking aim for the goal, and Ramos making the save.  The ball came to Rugar, who kicked the ball over the crossbar.

Each side kept getting looks on the cage, but neither connected for most of the remaining minutes of the half.  In the final minute of the period, Carhart sent a long shot towards the goal, with Ramos punching the ball out of bounds.  Quickly Paltsios sent the corner into the box, with Miller kicking the ball just under the crossbar with four seconds left in the period to put UAlbany into the locker room up 2-0.

UAlbany had déjà vu with another quick goal near the beginning of the period.  Rugar took the ball down the sideline, crossing to Miller.  At the top of the box, Rugar netted the ball inside the left post for the score to make it 3-0 UAlbany with 47:29 elasped.

Following a saved Schneider shot, Vermont tried to go the other way quickly and lost possession.  UAlbany made a breakaway as Schneider made a long pass to a running Vega.  Vega ran down and shot the ball perfectly inside the right post from 20 yards out for a 4-0 UAlbany lead.

Not long later in the 61^st minute, Schneider set up Rugar near the Vermont back line.  Around three defenders, Rugar shot to the net and scored, from 15 yards away to give the home team a 5-0 advantage.

The Great Danes added one more late in the 88^th minute.  Carhart got the ball from Schneider on a breakaway in the penalty area.  Carhart got close and shot the ball, which was blocked by the new keeper Coco Speckmaier.  The ball went back to Carhart, who scored on a ground ball shot to give UAlbany the 6-0 score, the eventual final tally.

UAlbany hits the road next week, taking on UMass Lowell on Thursday, October 9^th at 7 p.m.