UTICA, NY – The Alfred University women's soccer team continued Empire 8 competition with a 2-2 draw against Utica University on Saturday from the Laura M. Casamento Field.
The Saxons (1-3-3, 0-0-2 Empire 8) recorded 8 shots against the Pioneers (4-3-1, 0-0-1 Empire 8), 7 of which were on goal. This marks the first draw between the two sides dating back to the 2016 season.
Abby Wilson (Greece, NY/Odyssey Academy) found the back of the net twice for Alfred University across each of her two shots.
Olivia Gilbert (Ontario, NY/Wayne Central) dished one assist and totaled two shots on goal.
Kiani Barnard-Pratt (Westford, MA/Westford Academy) picked up 4 saves for AU.
"Today was a hard-fought game," Head Coach
Craig Yanni said. "Abby did a good job of putting herself in a good position to score her two goals. We are looking forward to having a full week of training to continue to improve on the things we have been working on."
The Saxons offense came out aggressive early in the opening half, as
Abby Scanlan (Albion, NY/Charles D'Amico) put across two shots across the first three minutes of action. The defense successfully rejected Utica's first four shots of the game before Wilson found an opening to give AU the early lead. An unsuccessful corner kick from Utica allowed Alfred University to go into halftime with a 1-0 lead.
The Pioneers forced five early shots in the second half before scoring during the 63
rd minute to equalize the score. Shortly after, a penalty kick save from Barnard-Pratt kept the score tied. Utica took their first lead of the game during the 78
th minute, but Wilson scored her second goal of the game to bring the score back to even.
Nyah Solly (Colden, NY/Springville-Griffith Institute) was the lone Saxon to record a shot on goal during the closing minutes before the contest ended as a draw.
Alfred University will next travel to face Russell Sage College next Saturday at 1:00 PM.
