MIDDLETOWN, Pa. - Penn State Harrisburg's women's soccer team fell 2-0 to Stevens on Sunday afternoon, October 5 at the Multipurpose Turf Complex.
The match began with both Penn State Harrisburg (6-5-2) and the Ducks (4-2-6) applying pressure early on. The Lions' defense, led by goalkeeper
Alexis Valenta, made key saves to keep the visitors at bay, including two stops on shots by Alina Friz within the first eight minutes. Despite several attempts from Penn State Harrisburg, including shots by
Serenity Hill,
Olivia Sgrignioli, and
Diana Pon, the Ducks' keeper Kenny Donley held firm.
Stevens managed to find a breakthrough in the 30th minute when Alana Odom scored on a breakaway, assisted by Sophia Murphy, giving the Ducks a narrow 1-0 lead. The Lions continued to challenge the visitors, with
Abigail Frew coming close near the end of the half with a header that went just wide.
Penn State Harrisburg attempted to shift the momentum in the second half, highlighted by Pon's corner kick leading to two near-header markers by Frew, one saved and the other that went high above the crossbar.
Julia Hughes also tested the Ducks' goalkeeper with a shot of her own that was saved in the 61st minute.
The Ducks capitalized later in the half with a critical goal, recorded as an own goal by the home team off a Stevens' corner kick in the 83rd minute, extending the visitor's lead to 2-0. The Lions continued to press until the very end, with
Mackenzie Mowery's late attempt being saved, but the half concluded without a change in the score, keeping the Ducks' 2-0 advantage at the final whistle.
NOTABLES
- Frew led the Lions with four total shots on goal, including two headers that were on frame.Â
- Mowery, Pon, Hill, Sgrignioli, and Hughes all recored a shot each against the Ducks.
- Valenta spent the entire contest in goal for the home team, tallying three saves.
- Stevens outshot Penn State Harrisburg 15-9 and also topped the Lions in corner kicks 6-2.Â
- Ducks' goalkeeper Kenny Donley earned the shutout and saved seven shots on the day.
WHO'S NEXT?
Penn State Harrisburg travels to Penn College on Tuesday night, October 7 for a United East Conference match at 7:30 p.m.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can keep up with Penn State Harrisburg Athletics all season long on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube using the handle @
pshbgathletics.