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ALBANY, N.Y. – Brandon Wilson broke a 1-1 tie with a goal in the 84th minute to lead the Albany Great Danes to a 2-1 win over visiting Vermont in the America East men's soccer opener for both teams at Bob Ford Field on Saturday.
 
Albany moves to 3-3-5 overall and 1-0 in America East action. Vermont falls to 5-5-1 and 0-1 in league play.
 
"I thought the guys played a good first half. We really played purposeful and in many ways controlled of the game," said Vermont head coach Jesse Cormier. "Then in the second half they scored on a deflection, which was unfortunate. We lost our way a bit and struggled. We didn't manage the adversity well. It was great to get back into it with the goal from Jack, but we have to learn how to finish opportunities. We had a lot of looks to score, but credit to Albany they had more of the killer instinct today. In order for us to get to the playoffs we have to play with more urgency."
 
The two teams played through a scoreless first half, but the Catamounts held a 12-3 advantage in shots.
 
In the opening minutes of the second half, Albany struck first to take a 1-0 lead. Keith Traut's shot from 20 yards out deflected off a UVM defender and into the net.
 
Vermont found the equalizer with just over 10 minutes remaining in the match. Jack Shea put back a rebound of Jaime Miralles' free kick after a save by Albany goalkeeper Tim Allen ricocheted out to Shea who was headed to the net. It was Shea's first career goal at UVM.
 
Wilson's game-winner, the first of his career, was a shot that was deflected off the head of a UVM defender.
 
The Catamounts finished the game out shooting Albany 22-9. Allen was credited with 11 saves for the Great Danes, while Conor Leland made three stops for Vermont.
 
Vermont returns to action on October 11 when it hosts Stony Brook at 1 p.m. The game will be streamed online for free in HD via CatamounTV.com. Tickets can be purchased online at UVMathletics.com or in person one hour before kickoff at the Gutterson Fieldhouse Box Office.