Box Score MIDDLETOWN, Pa. – Penn State Harrisburg's women's soccer team punched its ticket to Saturday's United East Championship Game with a convincing 4-1 victory over Penn State Abington in semifinal action on Wednesday night, Nov. 6.
 
Serenity Hill netted a pair of goals that included the game winner, Diana Pon continued her recent tear with a goal and an assist, and Ava Fox converted the team's first marker.
 
After a slow start for both squads, Penn State Abington (12-6-2) struck first when Madison McDowell took advantage of a foul and put her attempt into the back of the net from just outside the box in the 14th minute.
 
The game's first goal appeared to awaken Penn State Harrisburg (10-5-4) as the home team reeled off back-to-back scores in the following minutes. After Julia Hughes got off a contested shot in the 18th minute, Fox corralled the ensuing defensive save and launched the equalizer past goalkeeper Rachel Wilfrid. The home team grabbed the lead less than two minutes later when Hill fired a strike from distance into the back of the net off a nice feed from Pon.
 
The second half belonged to Penn State Harrisburg, with the hometown Lions dominating possession and getting off 16 shots after the break. Pon's attempt off a Katelyn Monette find in the 65th minute was a pretty one, as she lofted a ball off her left foot over the head of Wilfrid to double the advantage with 25:45 remaining. After a Penn State Abington foul in the box in the closing minutes, Hill converted a penalty kick to put a bow on the night's scoring with 7:40 left to play.
 
NOTABLES
- Penn State Harrisburg is set to make its fourth conference championship game appearance in the last five seasons.
- The hometown Lions outshot Penn State Abington 28-2 overall and 15-2 in shots on frame.
- Penn State Harrisburg finished with a 7-1 edge in corner kicks.
- With her goal and assist, Pon increased her point total to 21 on the season.
- After netting a pair of markers, Hill upped her total to eight goals on the fall.
- Fox's goal was her third of the year.
- Monette's assist was her first helper of the season.
 
WHO'S NEXT?
The top-seeded Lions host No. 3 seed St. Mary's (Md.) in the United East Championship Game on Saturday afternoon with a trip to the NCAA Tournament on the line.
 

STAY CONNECTED 
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