NEW HAVEN, Conn. - Behind a stellar day from senior forward Sophia Vescera (Prospect, Conn.) and a seven-save shutout from sophomore goalkeeper Amy Stevens (Lincoln, R.I.), the Albertus Magnus College women's soccer team picked up their first win of the 2023 season with a 2-0 victory over the Beavers of the City College of New York (CCNY). 

Vescera spearheaded the Falcon attack with a goal and an assist. Tyler Stocking (Middletown, Conn.) netted her first goal of the season, while Erina Ismaili (Middlebury, Conn.) contributed an assist to the first goal of the match and took three shots. Isabella Antonucci (Orange, Conn.) also boosted the offensive threat with three shots.

THE BASICS
FINAL: Albertus Magnus 2 | CCNY 0
RECORDS: Albertus Magnus (1-0-1) | CCNY (0-1-0) 
BOX SCORE

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Falcons took control of the match early on. Vescera took a pass at the top of the box and sent a shot into the back corner of the net to give Albertus the early 1-0 lead, just 6:12 into regulation. 

The Beavers retaliated, taking control of the ball for the next ten minutes and firing off a trio of shots and a corner kick, but were unable to put the shots on goal. 

Shortly after, AMC found an opportunity for a second goal of the match as Ismaili got fouled in the box two to set up a Falcons penalty kick. Albertus was unable to capitalize on the penalty and the score remained 1-0. 

The teams traded shots until the 27-minute mark of the first half, when a foul by CCNY gave the Falcons possession of the ball. 

Off a free kick, Vescera collected the ball and fired a pass across the box to Stocking making a run. Stocking rifled a shot off the post that bounced past the goalkeeper's fingertips and into the back corner of the net to give Albertus the 2-0 advantage. 

The Beavers got off three more shots in the first half, but were unable to trim the deficit and the teams moved into the second stanza. 

Despite out-shooting Albertus by a 10-4 margin in the second half, CCNY was unable to climb back into the match as Stevens remained an iron wall in the net. The sophomore goalkeeper converted five shots on goal into five saves to preserve the 2-0 score and seal the Falcons' victory.     

BETWEEN THE PIPES
Albertus -  Amy Stevens (W, 1-0-1): 7 Shots on Goal |  0 Goals-Against |  7 Saves
CCNY - Amelia Cataldao  (L, 0-1-0): 5 Shots on Goal | 2 Goals-Against | 3 Saves

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• The Beavers held a 19-11 advantage in shots. 

• CCNY out-cornered Albertus by a 9-3 margin. 

• The Falcons picked up seven saves to the Beavers three. 

• CCNY was whistled for 17 fouls, while Albertus was called for 12.  

NOTEWORTHY

• Vescera scored her first career goal in this afternoon's contest.

• Stevens recorded her fifth career shutout. 

UP NEXT
The women's soccer team returns to action on Tuesday, September 5 with a road clash against in-state rival University of Saint Joseph (Conn.). Kick-off is set for 6:00 p.m. at the USJ Athletic Complex in West Hartford, Conn.