MIDDLETOWN, Pa. - Penn State Harrisburg's women's soccer team won their second consecutive United East Championship in dramatic fashion thanks to a double-overtime draw that ended with a 2-0 penalty kick victory over St. Mary's (Md.) on Saturday afternoon, Nov. 8.


Ava Myers was named the United East Tournament most valuable player (MVP) after netting the two Penn State Harrisburg goals in regulation time.


Penn State Harrisburg (14-5-4) got on the board just 10 minutes into the match, as Olivia Sgrignioli sent a beautiful ball to a running Myers, who settled it and drew a pair of Seahawks defenders to find the back of the net to put the home team up 1-0. Abigail Frew and Julia Hughes both challenged St. Mary's (13-6-3) goalkeeper Kyleigh Bland, before the visitors' Gracie Tourangeau took a shot on the opposite side the field which forced Alexis Valenta to make a save of her own. In the 42nd minute, the Seahawks evened the score 1-1 after a foul in the box that allowed a penalty kick opportunity for Erin Clark, who easily converted and knotted up the contest going into halftime.


It was none other than Myers who scored once again for the Lions two minutes into the second half after a hard-fought battle with Bland in goal. The home team only held the slim 2-1 advantage for about seven minutes before Brooke Hall scored off a set play and assist from Ashlyn Bonner to tie the game up and eventually force the contest into overtime.


In the first overtime, St. Mary's and Penn State Harrisburg traded corner kicks before Bland saved Serenity Hill's attempt. In the 108th minute, Frew had a shot of her own that hit the post, but through both overtimes, the contest was sent to penalty kicks.


In an episode of déjà vu, the Lions and Seahawks went into penalty kicks for the second year in a row to determine the winner of the United East Championship. Valenta was a brick wall in goal for Penn State Harrisburg, as she saved 3 out of 4 penalty attempts that were tried by Ella Raines, Allie Petryszak, and Felicia Fishburne, while Julia Kleine's shot was just wide of the net. Diana Pon scored the first PK before Valenta and Myers had their tries stopped by St. Mary's Bland. Kylie Yap took the Lions' final attempt and clinched the program's fourth conference title and sparked an exciting championship celebration.


NOTABLES
- The conference championship is the fourth in program history. Penn State Harrisburg also captured conference titles in 2024, 2021, and 2009.
- With the victory, the Lions earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament for just the third time in program history.
- In regulation, Myers scored Penn State Harrisburg's lone goals to earn conference championship tournament MVP honors.
- The Lions finished with a 18-5 edge in shots and 11-5 advantage in shots on frame.
- Penn State Harrisburg finished with a 5-1 edge in corner kicks.
- Pon and Yap netted the daggers in penalty kicks, while Valenta had three saves that helped keep the visitors scoreless in PK's. Valenta also recorded three saves in regulation.
- Sgrignioli tallied the lone assist of the afternoon for the Lions.


WHO'S NEXT?
By capturing the conference title, the Lions earned an automatic berth in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. Penn State Harrisburg's first-round opponent and location will be revealed during the women's soccer selection show on NCAA.com on Monday afternoon.


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