Oct. 27, 2009

Stony Brook, N.Y. - Stony Brook University's women's soccer team opens up America East tournament play on Thursday, hosting the Albany Great Danes in an America East quarterfinal game at LaValle Stadium. Game time is set for 7 p.m. Fans can follow the game between the No. 4 Seawolves and No. 5 Great Danes with Gametracker and live video streaming at www.GoSeawolves.org.

Stony Brook finished the regular season 6-9-2 overall and 5-2-1 in the America East. The Seawolves lost their final two games of the regular season after putting together a six-game unbeaten streak which coincided with the start of conference play. The Seawolves outscored their opponents 13-2 during that stretch.

The unbeaten streak also included a 2-1 victory over Boston University, which was the Terriers first loss in their last 22 games against America East opponents. The winner of Thursday's game will travel to take on the top-seeded Terriers in the semifinals on Sunday at 1 p.m.

This will be the third straight season that the Seawolves have hosted an America East tournament game. Last year, SBU defeated Binghamton, 2-0, in an America East semifinal game at LaValle Stadiium, which put Stony Brook in its first America East title game since 2002.

Freshman Meghan Gilley (Macungie, Pa.) scored a team-high five goals for the Seawolves during the regular season while freshman Sa'sha Kershaw (Baltimore, Md.) added four goals and two assists. Senior goalkeeper Marisa Viola (Cutchogue, N.Y.) was spectacular in goal once again for the Seawolves as the 2008 America East Goalkeeper of the Year posted four shutouts during conference play and tied for the America East lead with 49 saves during league play.

This will be the first ever America East tournament appearance for an Albany squad that has won its last three road games and is 5-1-1 in its last seven contests away from home. The Great Danes lost their final two games of the regular season and are 8-9-1 overall and 3-4-1 in the America East. Albany used first half goals from Chrissy Klepper and Ashley Tirabassi to defeat the Seawolves, 2-0, in the only meeting between the teams this season on Oct. 18 at LaValle Stadium.

Chelsea DeVerna led the Great Danes on the offensive end of the field with six goals and three assists. Cate Crenson and Breanna Maggio combined for seven shutouts in the net for Albany.

Tickets are $8 for ages 15 & up and $5 for those 14 & Under. Tickets are $2 for students at an America East Institution with a valid America East institutional ID. Stony Brook students will be granted free admission with a Stony Brook ID courtesy of the Stony Brook athletic department. Fans can call 631-632-WOLF to order tickets.

Fans cannot buy tickets by phone on Thursday but can purchase tickets at the LaValle Stadium ticket booth beginning at 6 p.m.

Stony Brook Seawolves Women's Soccer

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