MIDDLETOWN, Pa. - Penn State Harrisburg's women's soccer team secured their spot in the United East Championship game with a 4-0 victory over Penn State Berks on Tuesday night, Nov. 4.


Diana Pon netted the game-winning goal thanks to an assist by Abigail Frew, while Ava Myers scored a goal of her own just minutes later with helpers by Pon and Frew. Two more markers were added for good measure in the 80th minute, when Kara Slavin had a penalty kick goal and Katelyn Monette had the fourth marker of the contest with an assist by Serenity Hill.


Penn State Harrisburg (14-5-3) was on the attack from the very beginning against Penn State Berks (8-9-2), as the squad tallied seven total shots in the first half alone. Olivia Sgrignioli forced Penn State Berks goalkeeper Sophia Gonzalez to make a save just a few minutes into the contest and followed up with another attempt that went wide right. Hill, Slavin, Ella Shirk, and Pon all took their opportunities on goal, but to no avail going into halftime.


The hometown Lions continued to put pressure on the visitors in the second half, but it was Pon who finally found the back of the net in the 51st minute thanks to a centering pass by Frew that Pon one-timed past Gonzalez to give Penn State Harrisburg the 1-0 edge. Less than five minutes later, Pon found the feet of Frew off a corner kick and the ball quickly got to Myers, who recorded Penn State Harrisburg's second goal of the night.


The momentum was kept in the hosts' favor and Penn State Harrisburg capitalized on the visiting Lions' miscues and added a pair of goals in the last four minutes of the match. Slavin netted a penalty kick marker against Zoe Macknicki who subbed in for Penn State Berks, before Monette strategically placed her marker in the opposite corner thanks to a forward pass by Hill to end the contest 4-0.


NOTABLES
- Pon tallied her 16th goal of the season for Penn State Harrisburg, while also earning her fifth game-winner and 10th assist.
- Myers, Slavin, and Monette all added a marker apiece against the visitors.
- Frew recorded a pair of assists on the night, while Hill tallied a helper of her own.
- Alexis Valenta spent all 90 minutes in goal for the hometown Lions, making one save.
- Penn State Harrisburg topped Penn State Berks in shots 19-1 and in corner kicks 2-1.
- The hometown Lions are headed to the United East Championship game for the second year in a row.


WHO'S NEXT?
The Lions look to defend their United East Championship title on Saturday afternoon, Nov. 8, as they go up against No. 2 St. Mary's (Md.).


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