Second Half Explosion Aids UAlbany Women's Soccer to 4-0 Home Win over UMass Lowell
Box Score | Box Score (PDF)
Postgame Interviews - Alana Olivieri | Allison Carhart | Caitlin Cucchiella
ALBANY, N.Y. – With a three-goal second half, the UAlbany women's soccer team crushed UMass Lowell 4-0 for its second-straight shutout in America East play.
With the win, UAlbany (8-8-1, 3-3-1 AE) now has 10 points in America East play and is tied for fourth place in the conference with one day of competition left. If UAlbany defeats Maine on Sunday, the Great Danes will ensure themselves at least the 4-seed in the upcoming America East Tournament and draw another home game.
Four different goal-scorers aided the UAlbany effort against UMass Lowell (5-12-0, 2-5-0 AE) as the Great Danes outshot the River Hawks 17-11.
“It is times like this deep in the season where you need to rely on a lot of depth,” said UAlbany coach Caitlin Cucchiella. “You have players that are tired after playing 90-minute games that sometimes need a breather. The fact we can use so many players so frequently has been a valuable service.”
Allison Carhart scored the game-winning goal off a feed from Krista Fitzpatrick, who stands alone with the UAlbany all-time assists record with 13 in her collegiate career, in the 43rd minute. Bianca Webb, Alexa Schneider and Mariah Williams all scored goals in last 17 minutes the second half to seal the game.
“I saw a perfect ball from Krista [Fitzpatrick], and I turned and saw lots of space,” said Carhart. “I saw the goal, took a few touches, took a deep breath and finished it.”
In the cage, Alana Olivieri recorded her second-straight shutout, saving all four shots on goal.
“I've been focusing on making sure that I'm tuned in 90 minutes of the game. I am making sure I am directing the team and that I am always in the play.”
For UMass Lowell, Emily Duchesne had a team-best three shots. Julia Schneider got the loss in goal with seven saves.
UAlbany put a couple of early shots on goal in the first 11 minutes from Alexa Schneider and Fitzpatrick, with UML making saves. The majority of the first half saw both sides exchange possession in the midfield.
In the 43rd minute, Fitzpatrick passed to Carhart, who got past the back line from 45 yards away. Carhart sprinted ahead, and one-on-one with the keeper grounded the ball into the center of the net to give UAlbany a 1-0 lead.
Alex Guzman had a chance on a free kick in the first half's final minute. She sent a line drive near the left post, which was caught by Olivieri. UAlbany took a 1-0 lead into the break.
Kiana Rugar got a low feed in the goal box in the 50th minute. She drilled the ball forward, with Julia Schneider falling and taking the shot into her torso. Rugar got another chance a minute later, missing just wide left.
UML also got on the board as Andrea Morrow sent a long range shot towards the upper woodwork. Olivieri dove and got a ball on the ball to send it out of bounds. The ensuing UML corner kick did not result in a shot.
In minute 74, UAlbany counter attacked after a missed header by Carolyn Ragon. The goalkeeper tried to kick the ball away, hitting her own defender as the ball went to her left. Webb got the ball and, off one touch, kicked the ball into the open net for the 2-0 UAlbany advantage.
The visitors got a quick jump in the next few seconds as Duchesne got fed the ball in the penalty box for a low shot, sending the ball wide.
Five minutes later, Caroline Kopp got a corner kick attempt for UAlbany. She curled the ball to the left post to Alexa Schneider, who headed the ball across to the right post for the goal, making it 3-0 UAlbany.
In the final minute, again the goalkeeper looked to clear the ball on a breakaway. Williams blocked the kick then raced to the ball, being the keeper to it and kicking the ball into the net from five yards out. UAlbany took the 4-0 victory over UMass Lowell.
UAlbany will finish up the regular season with Senior Day on Sunday, October 25th as the Great Danes host Maine at 2 p.m.
