Albany Senior midfielder Roxana Hernandez buried a twice deflected ball amid a swarm of players near the opposing goal line with just more than five minutes remaining to lift Eva Frazzoni and her College of Saint Rose teammates to a 2-1 season-opening win against visiting Wilmington.
"It was a great team win. The ladies battled through a physical match and showed a lot of heart," said head coach Laurie Darling Gutheil.
Frazzoni and her teammates controlled the pace for most of the match to manufacture 18-3 shot and 7-3 corner kick advantages.
Saint Rose got out to a 1-0 lead in the 14th minute when sophomore midfielder Frazzoni scored from inside the box with the ball going in off the upright, Frazzoni connected off a pass from sophomore forward Nina Predanic.
Wilmington answered with the equalizer 20 minutes later when freshman midfielder Krysta Memis delivered a through ball that sprung senior forward Loran Wyrough who deposited her strike into the left side.
Saint Rose kept their composure though and steadily assumed control as the second half moved along. Hernandez subsequently assured the effort paid off.
Sophomore keeper Marika Laurendeau recorded two second half saves to pick up the win, while senior Kierstyn Williams turned aside five threats for the Wilmington.
