MIDDLETOWN, Pa. – Penn State Harrisburg's field hockey team scored early and never looked back in a 2-0 shutout victory over Sweet Briar in non-conference action on Friday afternoon, Sept. 13.

Sadie Cook netted the game winner in the opening frame, while Hailey Nelson converted the first goal of her career in the second half to give the Lions (3-2) some breathing room. The Penn State Harrisburg defense was stout, allowing just four total shots on the day. Goalkeepers Macenzie Mulholland and Nisa Kece each made a single save to preserve the shutout.

Cook put the home team on top less than six minutes into the contest when she finished off a well-placed pass from Rachel Lane with 9:11 remaining in the opening quarter. The Lions kept the pressure on throughout the second frame and held a 13-2 advantage in total shots at the break.

The aggressiveness paid off early in the third quarter when Hailey Nelson gathered a rebound off a Lane shot that was kicked out by Sweet Briar goalkeeper Ashley Maggiora and fired her attempt into the back of the goal to double the Penn State Harrisburg advantage at the 12:22 mark.

The Vixens (1-3) manage to earn a pair of penalty corners in the final period but the first resulted in a Kece stop and the second was turned away by the Penn State Harrisburg back line before the visitors could get off a quality look. The final 10 minutes saw the Lions control possession and run out the clock to secure the team's third shutout victory of the young season.

NOTABLES

- Cook's game-winning goal was her team-leading second marker of the season.

- Nelson's second-half score was the first goal of her young career.

- Lane's assist was her second helper of the fall.

- In addition to her strong efforts on the defensive end, Alexis Nasuta managed four shots on goal.

- Mulholland and Kece combined for two saves on the day.

- The Lions outshot Sweet Briar 19-4 overall and 10-2 in shots on target.

- Penn State Harrisburg earned 17 penalty corners, while the Vixens managed four.

- Maggiora made seven stops in goal for Sweet Briar.

CAREER STUDIES DAY

Prior to Friday's contest, Penn State Harrisburg recognized students from the school's Career Studies Program, including Penn State Harrisburg sophomore field hockey player Maggie Kutz. Kutz, the first-ever student-athlete with Down Syndrome to play NCAA field hockey, made her first career start on Friday, logging nearly 15 minutes of action, including taking the opening push back.

WHO'S NEXT?

The Lions travel to Moravian for another non-conference outing on Wednesday night.

STAY CONNECTED 

Fans can keep up with Penn State Harrisburg Athletics all season long on Instagram, Facebook, X, and Youtube using the handle @pshbgathletics.