YouTube Recap

ALFRED, NY – The Alfred University women's soccer team opened its 2016 season with a 2-1 victory over visiting Keuka College Thursday evening at Yunevich Stadium, rallying from a brief early deficit in the second half.
 
Despite dominating play, Alfred found itself in a scoreless tie at halftime and down a goal 5:less than six minutes into the second frame. Keuka was awarded a penalty kick, which AU junior goalie Sammy Jo Shanahan (Valley Stream, NY/Valley Stream South) dove to her right to stop, pushing the shot just outside the goalpost. On the ensuing corner kick, Keuka's Sarah Hartman collected a loose ball in front of the goal and kicked it past Shanahan and giving the Wolves the 1-0 lead 5:55 into the half.
 
The visitors' advantage didn't last, as AU sophomore defender Ally Hendel (Attica, NY/Attica), following a corner kick 6:44 into the half, gathered the ball and found the back of the net with the equalizer. First-year midfielder Amanda Roberts (Amherst, NY/Amherst) took the corner and earned the assist on Hendel's goal.

Just over five minutes later, at the 57:03 mark, first-year forward Lexi Riffelbach (Clifton Park, NY/Catholic Central) made her first collegiate goal a game-winner. Roberts blasted a free kick from just outside the penalty area off the cross bar. The ball bounced right to Riffelbach, who calmly booted it into the net, giving AU the 2-1 advantage.
 
Keuka never threatened after that, as Alfred controlled play and kept the ball in the Wolves' end of the field most of remainder of the second half. AU outshot Keuka 21-6, and held a decisive 13-2 advantage in shots in the second frame. The Saxons also held a commanding 15-3 advantage in corner kicks.
 
Shanahan finished with five saves for AU, several of them on solid Keuka scoring chances. Her counterpart for the Wolves, Talia Cruz, stopped 10 Saxons shots.
 
Alfred is in action next on Tuesday, Sept. 6, at 7 p.m. at home against Hilbert.