Women’s Soccer Kicks off Army’s 2016 Season

Friday, August 19

West Point, N.Y.

7 PM

Army West Point

0-1-0

Albany

1-0-0

ALBANYW

Army West Point

Women’s Soccer Kicks off Army’s 2016 Season

August 19, 2016 | Women's Soccer

Box Score

WEST POINT, N.Y. – The Army West Point women's soccer team kicked off its 2016 campaign Friday night in front of a packed Clinton Field.

The Black Knights ultimately fell to the reining America East Champions Albany 2-0 in Army's first varsity sporting event of the year.

Despite going down 2-0 after the opening half of play, one of those goals being off a penalty kick, Army turned up its offensive pressure outshooting its visitor 6-2 in the second period. Unfortunately, the America East preseason favorites locked up their defensive efforts to secure the shutout.

ARMY HIGHLIGHTS AND GAME NOTES

Friday's outcome marked the first time the Great Danes defeated the Black Knights. Heading into the night, Army held a 10-0-1 edge over Albany.
Senior Sam Gottlieb led Army with three shots, one of which that was on frame, while sophomore Jade Jamison followed with two shots of her own, one on target.
Six other Black Knights tallied one shot in the contest as Army held the edge 11-9 overall, including a 6-2 advantage in the second half alone.
Sophomore Sydney Witham had a strong defensive game, limiting Albany's top goal-scorer from a season ago to just one shot.
It was a packed house at Clinton Field with more than 400 fans in attendance for the Academy's first varsity sporting event of the year.
Just before halftime, Gottlieb fired a well-driven shot from just inside the right corner of the 18-yard box. Unfortunately, her attempt grazed the crossbar and soared out of play.
Early in the second half, the Black Knights turned on their high-pressure offense to try and create goal scoring chances. It nearly paid off as Army had back-to-back attempts on frame following two strong crosses from Kayla Swasey on the right side of the field. Gottlieb barely missed the first opportunity on a one-timed shot before Kayleigh Stallings got ahold of another one, this time off the volley. Both shots ultimately sailed just high.
With the clock winding down Army had one final chance on net. Witham sent a brilliant ball in, finding the foot of Brianna Nicholas, but the junior's one-timed shot fell wide of the goal.
Senior Jordan Cassalia made three saves in her first start between the posts.
Nicole Bautista and Grace Blackwell made their first collegiate appearances in the game, with Blackwell earning her first career start.

TURNING POINT

The Great Danes were awarded a corner kick with a little more than five minutes to play in the first half. On the kick, Army was called for a foul inside the box, handing the visitors a penalty kick opportunity. Albany converted on the shot to create a two-goal deficit between the teams.

HOW IT HAPPENED

After a scoreless opening 20 minutes neither team posted any real goal-scoring chances until Albany broke the deadlock in the 25th minute. Off a free kick from 35-yards out, the Great Danes saw Alexa Schneider redirect a bouncing ball that dropped in over the head of Cassalia.
Then in the 40th minute Albany made it 2-0 after finishing off the penalty kick opportunity.
Despite a valiant effort from Army in the second 45 minutes, the visitors were able to hold on for their first win of the season.

UP NEXT

The Black Knights have a quick turnaround as they host Seton Hall on Monday for a 7 p.m. tilt on Clinton Field. The Pirates dropped a 2-1 overtime contest at Saint Joseph's on Friday night.