FINAL SCORE: Albany 2, Vermont 1 (ot)
ALBANY, N.Y. – Kiana Rugar's hard shot from 15 yards out deflected off UVM goalkeeper Ally Ramos' hands and squirted over the goal line to give Albany a 2-1 overtime victory over Vermont in the America East Semifinals at Tom & Mary Casey Stadium on Sunday.
 
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Vermont closed out regulation with a pair of good scoring chances in the closing seconds, but Alana Olivieri made a pair of stops to force the overtime session.
 
In the opening minutes of extra time Dana Buckhorn, who netted the game-winner for the Catamounts in the first round win over UMBC, rang a shot off the crossbar.
 
With three minutes remaining in the overtime, Albany pushed the ball up field and Rugar was able to fire off the game-winner for her fourth goal of the year.
 
After a scoreless first half with shots even at 6, the Vermont Catamounts survived early pressure in the first 10 minutes of the second stanza and were able to strike first.
 
In the 67th minute, Savanna Yurick sent a through pass to Nikki McFarland who was able to get behind the Albany defense. McFarland collected the ball and slotted a shot past UA goalkeeper Alana Olivieri for her seventh goal of the season.
 
Albany quickly answered in the 70th minute. Krista Fitzpatrick's free kick from 20 yards out was flicked on by Caitlyn Paltsios as UVM goalkeeper Ally Ramos came off her line to challenge the service. The ball fell to Alexa Schneider who was able to knock the ball into the open net and even the score at 1-1.
 
Ramos finished the game with three stops in the Vermont net, while Olivieri was credited with six saves for the Great Danes.
 
Albany (10-8-1), the No. 2 seed, moves on to play No. 1 Hartford on Sunday (Nov. 8) at 2 p.m. Vermont closes its season with a mark of 8-8-2, recording the most wins since 2005.