By: Brandon Vanenburg | September 27, 2021
On Wednesday, the University at Albany women's soccer team traveled across town to face Siena in their final non-conference game of the season. The two teams battled all night and ended up with a 1-1 draw.
The match got off to a slow start as the first shot of the game didn't come until the 13th minute, when the UAlbany defense blocked Siena’s Katrina Kurtz's effort.
UAlbany's first shot came in the 16th minute, on target from Olivia Piraino and saved by Siena goalkeeper Brooke Boermeester who finished the match with eight saves. Great Danes goalkeeper Cassandra Coster, making her second-straight start of the season, recorded six saves.
Jasmine Colbert scored her fourth goal of the season of the game and only goal which was assisted by Devon Schmitt in the 42nd minute to put UAlbany up 1-0.
UAlbany held their 1-0 lead for most of the second half, but in the 81st minute Emily McNelis received a pass from Carrie Krohn and evened the score.
Regulation ended with the score still tied 1-1, and the game went into overtime for the second time for the Great Danes this season. Neither team scored in extra time, and the game ended in a draw.
Great Danes Head Coach Leigh Howard talked about how this game was a great learning experience for their young players. "Today's game provided us with a good opportunity to plan an experienced, organized cross-town team,” said Howards. “I thought that some of our young players really stepped up to the task in front of them, and that's something that's great to see. It's difficult to yet again not get the result we set out for, but that's our sport sometimes, and we need to continue to believe in one another in our next pursuit."
UAlbany will look to bounce back as they return to Casey Stadium on September 26 to host New Hampshire.