Courtesy: UAlbany AthleticsASHEVILLE, N.C- In a high-scoring affair, UAlbany came on top against UNC-Asheville, 6-3, on Sunday, September 2 at Greenwood Field. Senior forward Shayla Bergeron was red hot on Sunday, scoring three goals on the evening which was a program record for a single game. The win boosts the Great Danes to 1-1-1 on the season while it drops the Bulldogs to 1-4.
"It was really nice to see the team come together today and have a number of players contribute on the field", said head coach Mary-Frances Monroe on the offensive explosion. "We had a lot of firsts today. Senior Shayla Bergeron had her first career hat trick. Freshman Allison Carhart recorded her first 2 collegiate goals and lily honor scored her first collegiate goal as a senior. This will help our teams confidence moving forward. We have a tough week of games ahead of us and will need to stay focused. I am very proud of our teams performance today".
As the match was tied just 1-1 at the half, the Great Danes offense, that has scored just two goals in the previous three matches, awoke with a vengeance.
UAlbany's (1-1-1 ) Bergeron, who scored the game's first goal in the fourth minute, carried that momentum, scoring six minutes into the second half unassisted.
Then UNC-Asheville (1-4) followed up Bergeron's goal with a goal of its own to tie the game at two in the 56th minute. The Bulldogs Kristen Phelps would carry the ball nine yards from net and thread the needle through the Great Dane defense to teammate Kaitlyn Eckert to finish off the play.
Moments later in the 67th minute, Bergeron came back to tally her third goal of the match by causing a turnover in the Bulldog's defensive end.
"It's a nice thing to start off the season with some goals", said senior forward Shayla Bergeron on recording the program's first hat-trick. "I hope I can continue to score. It was a much needed win for the team".
The Great Danes would then go on to score three goals in the next 15 minutes. Freshman midfielder Allison Carhart would record her first two career goals during that 15-minute span. Senior midfielder Lily Honor, also records her first career goal of the season as well in the 86th minute.
UAlbany goalkeeper sophomore Jacky Ubert started and played the first 45 minutes, tallying two saves on three chances. Freshman Alana Brennan would receive the win, playing the final 45 minutes, making three saves on five chances. UNC-Asheville goalkeeper Heather Muller played the full 90 minutes, recording seven saves on 13 chances.
The Great Danes look to carry this offensive explosion into their next match against Colgate on Wednesday, September 5 at 6 p.m.
