Seneta, Olafedottir Goals Help Colfer Era Begin with 2-0 Victory Over FAU
BOX SCORE
BOCA RATON, Fla. – With strong defense and key shooting, the University at Albany women’s soccer team earned a 2-0 shutout over Florida Atlantic to start the Caitlin Colfer era with a victory at the FAU Soccer Stadium.
The victory marks the first time that the Great Danes (1-0-0, 0-0-0 America East) won their season opener by multiple goals since 2001, when UAlbany defeated Iona 4-0.
In the opening minutes after Dani Britt saved a shot from Brittney Nash, UAlbany countered and earned a corner kick in the fourth minute, but did not get off a shot.
The defense held as FAU (0-1-0, 0-0-0 Atlantic Sun) took three shots in a span of six minutes, but all three missed the cage.
After subbing into the game in the 21st minute, Allison Carhart got a look and shot the ball about two minutes later, but a save from Courtney Zwetsch stopped the potential first goal.
Britt came up strong again, saving shots at the 28th and 31st minutes from Danelle Nguyen and Katie Englert respectively to keep the game scoreless.
Holding after being outshot 7-1 early, the Great Danes struck in the 37th minute. Set up by Aubrey VanGorder, Anna Seneta connected on her first collegiate shot to give UAlbany a 1-0 lead. Seneta nearly scored again before the end of the half, but her shot was saved. UAlbany kept the 1-nil lead going into the locker room.
Britt and UAlbany protected against a couple of shots and corner kicks in the 15 minutes of the second half to keep the lead. The Great Danes got a chance in the 64th minute as Kari Quinn attacked the cage, but her shot was saved. UAlbany got a couple of corner kicks soon after, but was not able to score.
At minute 78, Stephanie Nelle put a ball into the box on a free kick. Helena Olafsdottir headed the ball into the net to give the Great Danes a 2-nil advantage.
UAlbany kept the shutout intact and won the game 2-0.
Britt finished the game with four saves to begin the season with a shutout. Seneta put both of her shots on goal, earning the game-winning goal. Despite being outshot 15-7 in the game, UAlbany led in shots on goal with five to FAU’s four.
Clair Emslie led the Owls with four shots, while Nash had three.
The Great Danes will stay in the Sunshine State this weekend to take on Florida Gulf Coast in Fort Myers on Sunday, August 25th at noon.
