MIDDLETOWN, Pa. - Penn State Harrisburg's field hockey team earned a spot in the United East Championship Final for the first time in program history thanks to a 4-0 shutout victory in the semifinal matchup with Wilson on Saturday afternoon, Nov. 1.


Anna Moyer netted a pair of goals, while Astrid Comp totaled two helpers to lead the Lions. Ami Mattingly had the game-winning marker and Victoria Castano Colman rounded things out with a goal of her own in the final minutes of the contest. Bailey Rucker and Alexis Nasuta added an assist each against the Phoenix.


With just under two minutes left in the opening quarter, Penn State Harrisburg (13-2, 3-1 United East) earned an 1-0 lead thanks to a head's up play by Nasuta. She fought to keep the ball in the circle and pushed a pass to Rucker who crossed it to Mattingly before the latter finished it off in the right side of the cage.


The second frame was scoreless thanks in part to impressive defensive play by Lions' goalkeeper Macenzie Mulholland, who stopped three Phoenix (5-9, 2-2 United East) shot attempts during the quarter. The home team had a pair of opportunities just minutes into the quarter, with a penalty corner and a shot on frame by Mattingly.


The Lions came out of halftime with dominant force, as Sadie Cook went straight to Comp off a corner in the 36th minute before Moyer took Comp's centering pass and battled to put the ball in the back of the net. It was Moyer yet again six minutes later that extended the lead to 3-0 when Nasuta found her in front of the net and Moyer flipped the ball over the head of Wilson goalkeeper Erin Sullivan.


In the final quarter, Castano Colman added a marker of her own thanks to a give-and-go play with Comp to give Penn State Harrisburg a comfortable 4-0 advantage. With less than five minutes left in the contest, Wilson saw two decent scoring opportunities with consecutive corners and shot attempts, but the Lions held firm and the game ended in their favor.


NOTABLES
- Moyer tallied a pair of goals against the Phoenix, just her second and third markers of the season.
- Mattingly netted her seventh game-winning goal and her 27th overall marker of the season.
- Mulholland earned the shutout in goal for the Lions, making three key saves. 
- Comp led the Lions in assists with two, while Rucker and Nasuta added a helper each on the day.
- Castano Colman scored her third goal of the season against Wilson.
- The Phoenix outshot the Lions 6-5, while Penn State Harrisburg topped the visitors in corners 10-6.


WHO'S NEXT?
The Lions have a week to prepare for the program's first-ever United East Championship Final, as they are set to travel to St. Mary's (Md.) on Saturday, Nov. 8. The winner of the United East title will earn the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament.


STAY CONNECTED
Fans can keep up with Penn State Harrisburg Athletics all season long on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube using the handle @pshbgathletics.