ALFRED, NY — A pair of second-half goals for the Alfred University women's soccer team led to a 2-0 victory over Hilbert College on Tuesday afternoon from Yunevich Stadium.
"It was good to get the win on the home opener," Head Coach
Craig Yanni said. "We came out a little slow and struggled in the first half, but the team really stepped up in the second half to create some good scoring opportunities and put the pressure on Hilbert."
The Saxons (1-0-2, 0-0-0 Empire 8) generated early offensive opportunities, with
Ava Thayer (Nunda, NY/Keshequa) and
Aviana Petrizzo (Cheektowaga, NY/Maryvale) each recording shots on target. The defense for Hilbert (1-3-0, 0-0-0 AMCC) turned away both attempts, while Alfred's defensive unit responded with a strong performance of its own, successfully defending a pair of corner kick opportunities by the Hawks early on.
Alfred earned five corner kicks in the opening half and continued to pressure the Hilbert defense. Thayer registered another shot on goal in the 34th minute, but neither team was able to break through as the match remained scoreless at halftime.
The Saxons began to take control of the offensive end early in the second half. Petrizzo and
Sidney Khuns (Spencerport, NY/Spencerport) each recorded a blocked shot within the opening five minutes, and Khuns registered Alfred's first shot on goal of the half in the 63rd minute. Alfred finally broke through in the 70th minute following a corner kick opportunity from
Isabelle Dennis (Livonia, NY/Livonia). A deflection fell to
Angela Drake (Downingtown, PA/Downingtown West), who capitalized on the opportunity to score her first collegiate goal and give the Saxons a 1-0 lead.
With momentum firmly on their side, the Saxons doubled their advantage when
Liv Gorczyca (Buffalo, NY/Mount Mercy Academy) found favorable positioning following a deflection by the Hilbert goalkeeper. Gorczyca finished the opportunity for her first collegiate goal, extending Alfred's lead to 2-0.
The Saxons' defense closed out the victory in the final minutes, limiting Hilbert to just one shot attempt in the second half. The corner kick total for Alfred University was the highest mark dating back to the 2018 season, and was one shy of the program record set in 2016.
Alfred University returns to action Friday at 1:00 PM against Oswego State at the Blue Devil Classic. The contest will be hosted by Fredonia.
--Swords Forward Saxons--
