WOMEN'S SOCCER NEEDS LONE GOAL TO DEFEAT ALBANY, 1-0

8/28/2009

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Junior Leah Larot scored in the 29th minute off of a cross from sophomore Elece McBride, giving the Sacramento State Hornets a 1-0 shutout victory over the Albany Great Danes on Friday, Aug. 28 at Hornet Soccer Field.

With the win, the Hornets remain unbeaten at 1-0-1, while Albany falls to 0-1-0.

The action came fast and furious in the match, as in the first minute the Great Danes had a chance at an open net after Hornet 'keeper Savannah Abercrombie punch out a cross. The ball came to the foot of Ashley Tirabassi, whose shot was deflected out by senior defender Christina Trenton and corralled by Abercrombie to keep Albany off the board.

The Hornets' first shot of the game, in the ninth minute, was also dramatic, as senior Ashley Forbes took a one touch pass at the top of the 18 and blasted a shot that hit the crossbar, keeping the game scoreless.

Sacramento State would go on to light up the scoreboard in the 29th minute, as McBride crossed a ball from the right side that deflected off of Great Dane 'keeper Breanna Maggio and right to Larot, who slide the ball into the net toward the far post to give the Hornets a 1-0 advantage. They would hold onto the slim lead into the halftime intermission, despite being outshot in the half 8-5.

Albany controlled the ball for much of the second half, opening to force extra soccer, but only got one solid chance that would come in the 86th minute. Tirabassi hammered a shot from 10 yards out on the right side that Abercrombie made a brillant punch of, and the Hornet defense was able to kick it out the backline for a corner. The Great Danes were unable to take advantage of what was their fourth corner of the game, and Sacramento State took home a 1-0 victory.

Abercrombie tallied six saves in goal to lead the Hornets defensively, while on the other side of the pitch, the Great Danes Maggio and Cate Crenson each saw action for a half, with Crenson collecting two second half saves.

Larot scored her first goal since her freshman season, when she tallied four goals including a game-winner to help lead the Hornets to the Big Sky Conference title. McBride posted points for the second straight game, after scoring her second career goal in the season opener at UC Davis. Senior Kim Kemper, Junior Cori Shreve and freshman Megan Burg each took two shots to lead the Hornets.

The Great Danes were led offensively by Tirabassi, who tallied six shots including two on frame. For the match, Albany outshot the Hornets 16-9, which included a 7-4 advantage in shots on goal.

The Hornets return to action on Sunday, August 28 as they take on UC Santa Barbara. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Hornet Soccer Field.