Box Score
MEADVILLE, Pa. – Junior midfielder Becca Crissman took advantage of a giveaway in the back field, firing a shot over the outstretched hands of Tartans goalkeeper Anya Rosen in the middle of the box to propel Allegheny to a 1-0 victory over UAA-rival Carnegie Mellon University on Wednesday afternoon at Robertson Field in the season opener for both teams.
Crissman's unassisted finish in the 51st minute supplied the victory, but junior goalkeeper Emily Karr picked up where she left off last season with another sensational effort in net for the Gators (1-0-0). Karr registered five saves on the afternoon, including a beautiful tip save on a quality attempt by CMU's Alice Mayfield in the 88th minute.
Carnegie Mellon (0-1-0) was the better club in terms of possession in the second half, and nearly found the equalizer on several opportunities. Elsa Wu recovered a loose ball in the 63rd minute after Karr made an initial stop on a cross, but Karr tucked away the rebound. Wu had another chance with just over 11 minutes left on the clock, but her attempt from inside the box drifted wide right.
Not all of the scoring chances went to the Tartans as Allegheny nearly doubled its lead in the 65th minute after junior Georgia Frost blasted a point-blank shot on target that was smothered by Rosen. CMU's keeper also finished the tilt with five saves, while each net minder picked up four saves during a busy second half.
“We got a good result today even though we played far from our best,” said head coach Mike Webber. “I don't think we expected to be super sharp in our first game out, but we clearly need to improve our play. I do think our fitness level was a real positive.”
Allegheny employed 16 players in the field, almost out of necessity as the game-time temperature was well above 90 degrees. Sophomore Ashley Lehr supplied the team with a nice boost off the bench and finished the day with a game-best three shots. Both teams played a fair game by combining for just three fouls, while Carnegie Mellon outshot the Gators, 7-6. The Tartans also boasted a 7-2 edge in corners, although none of the opportunities resulted in serious scoring threats.
The Gators begin a five-game road trip following their season-opening win, and will travel to Worcester, Mass., to face NEWMAC-rival Clark University on Saturday. Game time is scheduled for 1 p.m.
