Women's Soccer | 10/10/2009 4:45:03 PM

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ROCHESTER, NY – The RIT women's soccer team (4-4-3, 1-3-0 Empire 8) won its first Empire 8 conference game of the season, beating the Stevens Ducks (3-10-0, 2-2-0 Empire 8) 2-1 in front of more than 300 fans celebrating Brick City Homecoming and Family Weekend. Senior Shireen Irani (Calgary, Alberta/National Sports Academy) scored the game-winner in the 73rd minute to give the Tigers the win.

RIT out shot the Ducks 18-8 and had five corner kicks to Stevens one. Both teams committed nine fouls during the game.

Steven's struck first in the 37th minute, when Kaitlyn McClymont fired a shot past RIT goalkeeper Ashley Valenti (Honeoye Falls, NY/Honeoye Falls-Lima) to give the Duck's a 1-0 lead.

Allyson Pisher (Holley, NY/Holley) tied the game at 1-1 with her goal in the 50th minute. Kim Sisti (Horseheads, NY/Horseheads) played a through ball to Ashley Pezze (Schenectady, NY/Guilderland), who fired a shot at Steven's goalkeeper Teegan Kelly. The shot was kicked out into the box, where Pisher poked the ball into the net.

Irani scored the second goal for the Tigers in the 73rd minute, breaking the 1-1 tie. The goal was unassisted, as Irani ran the length of the field, making a nifty drive to the net while dribbling past two Stevens defenders and then firing a shot past Kelly for the goal.  It was Irani's first collegiate goal.

The defense for the Tigers was excellent during the second half, only allowing three shots. Valenti made four saves for the Tigers, and picked up her fourth win of the season.

RIT returns home tomorrow as they host conference rival Utica College at 1 p.m. on RIT Field.