Box Score MEADVILLE, Pa. – Sophomore Hannah Zangara tallied her second goal in as many games, making a first half goal stand to send the Gators to a 1-0 win over Denison in the squad's North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) opener at Robertson Field on Saturday.

The Gators controlled the pace in the first half and were finally able to break through onto the scoreboard after Zangara found a clearing just outside of the 18-yard penalty area.  With a defender standing between her and the goalkeeper, Zangara used a quick touch to elude the Big Red back, dumping the shot into the bottom left side of the net to give Allegheny the first half lead.

Junior goalkeeper Gabby Curtis made three saves in goal for the Gators, as the Allegheny defense held Denison in check during the second half.  Allegheny played wise on the end line, only allowing Denison one corner kick, while the Gators had 10 corner opportunities, including seven in the second half.    The Gators outshot the Big Red, 17-11, as five Gators placed shots on target, totaling six shots on goal.

In the 14th minute, senior Michelle Holcomb placed a cross towards the penalty box, but the Denison defense was able to deflect the attempt towards Buzzard over the crossbar.  The Big Red converted the clear after the corner by Miller.  A few minutes later, fellow fourth year Alison Buzzard had another strong attempt inside the six, but the shot drifted wide to the right.  Zangara had a shot saved in the 19th minute before her game-winner in the 29th minute. 

Denison had its first quality look at the Allegheny net in the 39th minute, after a half controlled on possession by Allegheny.  The Big Red placed a shot on target but it was stopped by Curtis.  The Gators placed a few more opportunities towards the Denison net, but the Big Red defense was able to keep the Gators within one goal entering the break.

The Gators again controlled the pace to open the second half, generating two corner opportunities and two shots within the first 12 minutes.  Denison looked for the equalizer in the 66th minute, but Curtis was there once again to make a critical stop for the Gators.  In the waning moments, the Big Red made a pair of final attempts towards the net, but the Gators were able to run out the clock and pick up their first conference win.

Allegheny will return to Robertson Field on Saturday, Oct. 5 to take on NCAC rival Kenyon for the annual Kick for Caner game at 3 p.m.  In 2012, Holcomb scored the game-winner in overtime to lift the Gators to a 2-1 win in Granville.