By Vince Gasparini | August 28, 2023
The University at Albany women’s soccer team suffered a 6-0 loss on the road against Brown University this past Friday. UAlbany came into the game with a 1-1 record. The Bears, who are three-time defending Ivy League champions, outshot the Great Danes 31-4, including 21-2 in the first half.
Members of the UAlbany women’s soccer team run up the field.
Photo Credit: Brent Warzocha
In the first half, both teams attacked early. Just 11 seconds after the kickoff, senior midfielder Olivia Piraino took an open shot on Brown goalkeeper Bella Schopp. In the third minute, Brown senior Evelyn Calhoon tested the goalkeeping ability of UAlbany senior Megan Hart, who made the save to keep the game scoreless early. Hart recorded seven saves in the loss.
Layla Shell struck first for the Bears in the eighth minute off a corner kick, putting away a serve into the far side of the net. A goal by Brittany Raphino in the 12th minute increased their lead to 2-0.
Shell scored her second goal of the game, and Brown’s third, in the 20th minute when she beat the Great Danes’ defense and Hart off a rebound low and to the right. Hart flexed her goalkeeping prowess with a kick save after the Bears broke a pass through the Great Danes’ defense. Junior defenseman Sophia DeMura then cleared the ball out of danger for UAlbany. Kira Maguire scored a goal for Brown in the 40th minute off an assist by Ava Seelenfreund, good for their fourth goal of the first half.
The Bears scored twice in the second half, once in the 65th minute and for the last time in the 87th minute. The goals were scored by Naya Cardoza and Naomi Ferguson, respectively.
UAlbany’s next game comes in a visit to Boston University on August 27.