Krista Fitzpatrick Sets New UAlbany Women’s Soccer Assists Record in 2-1 Home Win over Binghamton

ALBANY, New York – Assisting both of the Great Danes’ goals, Krista Fitzpatrick led the UAlbany women’s soccer team to a 2-1 victory over Binghamton in the conference home opener and set a new program assists record.

Fitzpatrick earned her two assists off set pieces: on a free kick off the keeper to Alexa Schneider in the 43^rd minute and another free kick that pinballed off Schneider to Vivian Vega, who shot the ball inside the left post in the 73^rd minute.  Fitzpatrick now has 11 assists, surpassing three other players for the new mark.

“It feel good to break the record,” said Fitzpatrick. “[Alexa Schneider], [Kiana Rugar] and I have been joking about who was going to break it, and it feel good to get it done first.

UAlbany (6-5-1, 1-0-1 AE) was outshot in the game 17-8 by Binghamton (1-9-1, 0-2-0 AE), but nine
saves on 10 shots on goal by Alana Brennan held for the Great Danes.  As a team, UAlbany is unbeaten in its last three games.

“Though it wasn’t an easy goal to come by, heading into the half leading 1-0 was big for us,” said UAlbany coach Caitlin Cucchiella. “The play wasn’t the possession-oriented style that we like to do, but I think it will make us stronger.”

For Binghamton, Aly Falinski scored her first goal of the season off a corner kick in the 69^th minute.  Katie Hatziyianis got the loss in goal with three saves.

UAlbany played with the strong wind in the first half, picking up a pair of corner kicks in the sixth minute.  Leanne Miller curled the second attempt to Savanah Courtney for the header, with the attempt missing left.

Binghamton had a couple of light shots in the following minutes, with each being saved by Brennan.

Both sides tried to establish play in the midfield, with neither getting a strong offensive chance.  Into the 36^th minute, a free kick from Katherine Corcoran from long range hit the crossbar and went back into the field of play.  Sierra Barr tried a header on the rebound, pushing it left.

On a free kick in the 43^rd minute, Fitzpatrick’s free kick was blocked by the keeper to Schneider.

Schneider kicked the ball towards the net, breaking the plane of the goal, before a defender kicked it out, to make it 1-0 UAlbany, the eventual halftime score.

The second half saw Binghamton take advantage of the wind.  UAlbany got the first chance as Schneider found Kiana Rugar on the wing breakaway.  Rugar aimed for the post 25 yards out, with Hatziyianis catching the ball.

In minute 68, Corcoran aimed a free kick towards the top of the goal.  A jumping Brennan punched the ball above the crossbar.  After a corner was knocked out by UAlbany, Falinski took the second attempt.  The curl rode the wind and went inside the left post to tie the game at 1-1.

Five minutes later, Fitzpatrick got a free kick outside the box near the far corner.  She put the ball in the box, where Schneider tipped it to Vega.  Vega fired a ground ball shot past a diving Hatziyianis and inside the right post to put UAlbany back ahead 2-1.

Binghamton’s last gasp came in the 88^th minute as the Bearcats hurried shots.  Two shots slammed into close-by defenders, then a third by Allison Mack went right to Brennan.  UAlbany held for the 2-1 victory.

UAlbany hits the road for its next two America East games, taking on New Hampshire in Durham on Sunday, October 4^th at 2 p.m.