NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Abigail Frew headed home the game-winning goal off a beautiful free kick from Diana Pon in the 87th minute to give Penn State Harrisburg's women's soccer team a thrilling 2-1 victory over No. 14 Christopher Newport at Captains Field in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday night, Nov. 15.


The historic win is the first NCAA Tournament victory in program history and second for Penn State Harrisburg (15-5-4) over a nationally-ranked opponent this season. The Lions move on to face No. 11 Rowan in second round action at 6 p.m. on Sunday evening. 


Pon recorded three total points on the day to become the program's single-season record holder with 48 on the fall, as she scored the game's first goal and added the assist on Frew's game-winning score. Frew's clutch marker was her first of the season. Alexis Valenta also made four crucial stops in goal to help preserve the victory. 


With the game tied 1-1 and less than four minutes to play, Kara Slavin was fouled just outside the box, earning a key free kick opportunity for Penn State Harrisburg in crunch time. Pon lofted a ball from the right side into the box and Frew headed it past CNU goalkeeper Amy Sidaway and into the left side of the net to give the Lions a lead they wouldn't relinquish with 3:41 left to play. 


Now in desperation mode, the Captains (14-2-3) pressed forward but the Penn State Harrisburg backline, led by Frew, Katie Brown, Ciera Frick, Slavin and Kylie Yap, proved game, turning away all charges down the stretch to secure the biggest win in program history and send the Lions to the second round. 


After a scoreless first half that saw Christopher Newport outshoot the visitors 8-2, Pon changed the game's complexion when she corralled a throw in from Frick, quickly turned and blasted the prettiest attempt of her career into the upper right corner of the net from nearly 30 yards out to convert just the sixth goal allowed by CNU all season and give the Lions a 1-0 advantage in the 46th minute. 


The Captains turned up the aggression after falling behind and eventually broke through when Molly Seventko took advantage of a Penn State Harrisburg miscue and scored the equalizer in breakaway fashion with 29:50 remaining. From there, each side had its chances, with Valenta turning away Bella Ventimiglia in the 62nd minute and Sidaway making the stop on an attempt by Slavin with 12 minutes left before Pon connected with Frew for the game winner down the stretch. 


NOTABLES
- With the win, Penn State Harrisburg improved to 1-2 all-time in the NCAA Tournament.
- The victory was Penn State Harrisburg's second over a nationally-ranked opponent this season after the Lions knocked off No. 4 Messiah in October.
- Penn State Harrisburg is the first team to score multiple goals against Christopher Newport's vaunted defense this season. 
- With the victory, the Lions stretched their recent unbeaten streak to 11 in a row.
- The win was Penn State Harrisburg's first ever over the Captains. The Lions were previously 0-6 against Christopher Newport dating back to 2013.
- Thanks to her goal and assist, Pon set the single-season program record for total points (48). 
- The goal was Pon's 18th of the year, while her helper proved her 12th of the fall.
- Frew's first goal of the season couldn't have come at a better time, as it also proved just the second game-winning goal of her illustrious career. 
- Valenta made four crucial saves in net to earn her ninth win of the year. 


WHO'S NEXT? 
The Lions face No. 11 Rowan at Captains Field in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Sunday evening. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. The nationally-ranked Profs defeated No. 16 Misericordia 4-3 in PK's after battling to a 1-1 draw.


STAY CONNECTED
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