PHILADELPHIA - Junior Kelli McGroarty converted the game-winning goal in the 67th minute and the La Salle women's soccer team improved to 5-1-0 on the year with a 2-1 victory over UAlbany at McCarthy Stadium on Sunday.

The Explorers trailed 1-0 after the first 45 minutes of action, only to come back with a vengeance in the second half. Junior Alyssa Garguilo converted a penalty kick in the 52nd minute to tie the score, before McGroarty's heroics.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• La Salle started off slowly and the Great Danes took advantage, as Selma Elverum gave the visitors a lead in the 5th minute.
• The Explorers did have a 6-3 advantage in shots through the first half, but could not find the scoring touch as McGroarty had two attempts blocked by the UAlbany defense.
• After intermission, La Salle picked up the tempo and began to impose its will on the visiting side.
• A penalty kick was awarded to the Explorers in the 50th minute, but UA's Megan Hart was up to the task as she denied freshman Ricshya Walker.
• Less than two minutes later, La Salle earned another chance from the spot and this time did not miss as Garguilo went lower-left corner to tie the score.
• La Salle continued to press and finally found the go-ahead tally as sophomore Courtney Butlion snuck a pass far post and found McGroarty who cashed in the easy chance.
• From there, La Salle had possession for much of the second half and held on for its fifth victory of the year.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• La Salle held a 13-2 advantage in shots over UAlbany in the second half, and a decisive 19-5 edge for the match.
• McGroarty had nine shots to lead the Explorers while Walker and sophomore Haley Gschrey each had four.
• Michela Auguadro had one save in net for the Explorers and continued her streak of consecutive minutes played to 540 this season.

UP NEXT

• The Explorers hit the road for a tough non-conference contest against #9 Rutgers (6-0) on Thursday, Sept. 8 at 7:00 p.m.