MIDDLEBURY, Vt. - The magical postseason run for Penn State Harrisburg's women's soccer team came to an end with a narrow 2-1 setback against Mary Washington in the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament at Middlebury College's blustery South Street Field on Saturday afternoon, Nov. 22.


Penn State Harrisburg's historic 2025 campaign wraps up with a program-record 16 victories, a fourth conference championship, a pair of NCAA Tournament victories and the program's first trip to the Sweet Sixteen in school history. 


The Lions (16-6-4) fell behind midway through the first half when Taylor Garofalo beat a couple of Penn State Harrisburg players to a through ball and put it into the back of the net in the 19th minute. The Eagles (15-5-3) doubled their advantage early in the second half when Layla Royster got free for a goal in the box in the 55th minute. 


Penn State Harrisburg turned up the pressure late in the second half and earned multiple corner kicks in the process before eventually breaking through when Abigail Frew finished off a free kick from Ciera Frick with a header that beat UMW goalkeeper Kate Ronzoni to cut the deficit in half when 15:38 left to play. 


The Lions earned two more corner kicks, including one with 86 seconds to play but were unable to convert the equalizer in the final minutes. 


NOTABLES
- Mary Washington finished with slim edges in shots (10-8) and shots on goal (4-3). 
- Penn State Harrisburg had a massive advantage in corner kicks at 7-1.
- Frew's marker was her second goal of the postseason, as well as her second of the fall.
- Frick's assist was her sixth of the year.
- Frew, Serenity Hill and Ava Myers each got off a shot on goal. 
- Alexis Valenta made a pair of saves in net.


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