NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Kylie Yap buried the game-winning goal with 82 seconds remaining in regulation to lift Penn State Harrisburg's women's soccer team to a thrilling 1-0 victory over No. 11 Rowan in the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament at Christopher Newport's Captains Field on Sunday night, Nov. 16. 


With the historic win, the Lions (16-5-4) advance to the Sweet Sixteen for the first time in program history and become the first Penn State Harrisburg program to achieve the feat. The Lions will square off with Mary Washington in a rematch of an early-season contest in the next round. 


After 88 scoreless minutes of back-and-forth action, Penn State Harrisburg earned a corner kick opportunity with 1:59 to play. Abigail Frew's ensuing shot was deflected out the back end and the Lions were awarded another corner, this time on the far sideline. Ciera Frick lofted an insertion towards the box but the ball was kicked out by a Prof defender and back towards midfield. Yap crashed from her defensive position, timed up the ball's second bounce and fired a perfectly-placed attempt over a diving Leah Edinger and into the back of the net to break the scoreless tie with 1:22 remaining. 


Rowan (13-2-5) pushed up on the restart and was aided by a yellow card with 22 seconds to play, making possible one last free kick opportunity with the clock stopped. Lianna SanFelice chipped a ball towards the Penn State Harrisburg net but goalkeeper Alexis Valenta punched it out towards the Profs' bench where Katelynn Monnette ran it down and blasted it out the other end to bleed the clock and seal the biggest win in program history. 


Penn State Harrisburg's defense was also immaculate, as the usual suspects of Frew, Yap, Frick, Katie Brown, Kara Slavin and Ava Myers held a Rowan squad that ranked 34th in the nation in scoring offense scoreless. The Profs also entered Sunday's game ranked 19th in the country in shutout percentage, making Yap's marker all the more impressive. 


NOTABLES
- With the victory, Penn State Harrisburg improved to 2-2 all-time in NCAA Tournament play.
- The win over the Profs was the team's third against a nationally-ranked opponent this season. 
- The Lions will be making their first NCAA Sweet Sixteen appearance in program history. 
- Penn State Harrisburg's most-recent victory matched the single-season program record of 16 wins originally set in 2009. 
- The shutout was Penn State Harrisburg's program-record 15th of the season.
- Yap's game-winning goal was as timely as they come, as it proved her first of the fall.
- Valenta made three saves in goal to preserve the shutout and secure her 10th win of the year.


WHO'S NEXT?
The Lions will face Mary Washington in the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament next weekend at a site and time yet to be determined. 


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