MIDDLETOWN, Pa. – It took 110 minutes and then some but it was more than worth the wait, as Penn State Harrisburg's women's soccer team won the 2024 United East Championship in thrilling fashion thanks to a double-overtime draw that ended with a 4-3 penalty kick victory over St. Mary's (Md.) on Saturday afternoon, Nov. 9.
Goalkeeper Alexis Valenta was named the United East Tournament most valuable player (MVP) after converting an attempt in PK's before making the championship-clinching save on the final St. Mary's attempt.
After two scoreless halves and a pair of scoreless overtime periods, the Lions (10-5-5) went first in penalty kicks. Diana Pon calmly stepped to the line and buried the opening attempt to put the tournament's top seed ahead. For the Seahawks (17-1-4), Megan Stambaugh took the first kick but hit the right post, opening the door for Grace Roudebush to convert her attempt and double the advantage.
Erin Clark put one past Valenta to cut the deficit in half but Valenta more than made up for it when she reversed roles, took Penn State Harrisburg's third PK, and blasted it into the back of the net. Cicely Clark converted the ensuing attempt to keep St. Mary's within one and goalkeeper Kyleigh Bland turned away Serenity Hill's kick, allowing Morgan Kresslein to tie things up with her ensuing conversion.
Brin Moore took Penn State Harrisburg's fifth attempt and quickly converted it to put the home team back in front. Valenta took her place between the posts, faced up the Seahawks' Flor Katz-Starr, and made a diving stop to clinch the program's third conference title and spark a frenzied championship celebration.
NOTABLES
- The conference championship is the third in program history. The Lions also captured conference titles in 2021 and 2009.
- With the win, Penn State Harrisburg earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament for just the second time in program history.
- Entering the game for penalty kicks, Valenta converted a PK and stopped another to earn conference championship tournament MVP honors.
- The Lions finished with a 7-6 edge in shots and 4-1 advantage in shots on frame.
- Penn State Harrisburg finished with an 8-0 edge in corner kicks.
- Starting goalkeeper Sydney Mulka made one save during regulation to preserve the shutout.
- Pon got off a game-high two shots on goal.
WHO'S NEXT?
By capturing the conference title, the Lions earned an automatic berth in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. Penn State Harrisburg's first-round opponent and location will be revealed during the women's soccer selection show on NCAA.com on Monday afternoon.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can keep up with Penn State Harrisburg Athletics all season long on Instagram, Facebook, X, and Youtube using the handle @pshbgathletics.
