MIDDLETOWN, Pa. - Emma Stahl converted the deciding attempt and goalkeeper Nisa Kece turned away every opposing shot to secure a thrilling shootout victory for Penn State Harrisburg's field hockey team over Lebanon Valley on Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 10.
Ami Mattingly scored the team's lone goal of regulation, her seventh of the season, off an assist from Victoria Castano Colman, while Kece and Macenzie Mulholland combined for five saves on the day. Stahl and Alexis Nasuta provided goals during the shootout, with their conversions, along with Kece's efforts in goal, proving the difference.
Lebanon Valley (2-2) struck first in the opening quarter, taking advantage of a penalty corner opportunity when Rebecca Lane put her attempt into the back of the cage off an assist from Abby Rodenberger in the game's 10th minute.
The Lions (3-1) turned up the pressure in the second quarter and were rewarded when Mattingly finished off a penalty corner insertion from Castano Colman at the 12:09 mark. Penn State Harrisburg continued its aggressive play for the remainder of the first half but LVC goalkeeper Ella Weidenhammer proved game for much of the period.
Defense continued to win the day in the second half, with back line players the likes of Anna Moyer, Sara Yeselavage and Castano Colman making things tough on the Flying Dutchmen forwards. After 30 scoreless minutes followed by a pair of overtime periods, it was on to a penalty shootout to decide things.
Nasuta got the shootout started with a conversion that was deflected by a diving Weidenhammer but had enough on it to trickle across the goal line, giving the Lions the early advantage. From there, Kece made clutch stops on all four attempts she faced, as LVC's Gracie Johnson, Jillian Tait, Claire Weidenhammer and Lauren Foster were turned away. Stahl took advantage of the chance to put things away when spun around Weidenhammer and buried her attempt in the back of the cage to seal the nail-biting victory.
NOTABLES
- The shootout victory is the first of its kind in Penn State Harrisburg program history.
- With the win, the Lions improve to 1-1 all-time against Lebanon Valley.
- Mattingly's goal was her team-leading seventh of the season.
- Castano Colman's helper was her third assist of the fall.
- Kece made four saves on the day and added four more stops in the shootout period.
- Stahl and Nasuta each came through with key shootout conversions.
- The Lions finished with an 8-5 edge in penalty corners.
WHO'S NEXT?
The Lions continue non-conference play when they host King's (Pa.) on Saturday 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.
