Offensive Outburst Leads Orange Past Albany

Friday, August 29

Albany, NY

7:00 pm

Syracuse University

1-1-1

Albany

0-2

Syracuse

University at Albany

Photo by: Michael J. Okoniewski

8/30/2014 12:50:00 AM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Syracuse posts its first win of the season.

Box Score

ALBANY, N.Y. – Sophomore Stephanie Skilton scored twice in the first 25 minutes to spark Syracuse to a 5-1 victory at Albany on Friday, Aug. 29. It was the Orange's first win of the season, improving its record to 1-1-1.

"I'm very proud of the team's effort tonight in a very tough, physical game," said Syracuse head coach Phil Wheddon. "I thought we played some very exciting, very attacking soccer. We scored some fantastic goals. We put them under pressure and put them on their heels. I'm disappointed we conceded a goal but we will learn from our mistakes."

Skilton started the scoring in the 10th minute when she headed the ball into the net from seven yards out off a free kick by junior Jackie Firenze. Skilton struck again in the 25th minute. Freshman Eva Gordon passed the ball to Skilton on a breakaway on the far side. Skilton juked the goalkeeper and put her shot in the back of the net to give the Orange a 2-0 advantage.

Freshman Alex Lamontagne netted her first career goal in the 31st minute off an assist from senior Alexis Koval as Syracuse to a 3-0 lead into the locker room at halftime.

The second half started much like the first as Syracuse scored in the first 10 minutes when junior Erin Simon found the back of the net on assists from freshman Sheridan Street and junior Maya Pitts. The Great Danes (0-2) posted their only goal in the 54th minute. Sophomore goalkeeper MacKenzie Moranz made a diving save on a shot by Vivian Vega. Moranz couldn't control the ball and Caitlyn Paltsios was the first to the rebound and posted her first goal of the season to cut the Orange's lead to 4-1. Freshman Alexis Muraco added an insurance tally on her first career goal in the 80th minute for the 5-1 final.

Syracuse posted 17 shots and two corner kicks to 12 shots and three corner kicks for Albany. Moranz finished with three saves. Alana Brennan had six saves and Alana Olivieri had one for the Great Danes.

"All-in-all it was a successful evening," Wheddon said. "Now we have to turn our mind set to a very tough game on Monday against Connecticut."

The Orange faces the Huskies on Monday, Sept. 1 at the SU Soccer Stadium in its home opener at 1 p.m. Admission is free of charge.