MIDDLETOWN, Pa. - Penn State Harrisburg's women's soccer team ended the regular season with a 1-1 draw against Penn State Berks on Saturday, Oct. 24. The Lions secured the United East Regular Season Championship and clinched home field advantage in the upcoming United East Tournament.
Abigail Mahaffey scored Penn State Harrisburg's lone goal in the 84th minute thanks to an assists by
Ella Shirk and
Ava Myers.
Sydney Mulka made four saves in goals for the hometown Lions in a full game of play.
Five minutes into the match, Penn State Berks (9-6-2, 5-2-1 United East) forced Mulka to save an attempt by Zoe Macknicki. Penn State Harrisburg (8-5-2, 7-0-1 United East) tried to get one too when Myers pressured the goal which forced goalkeeper Riley Fisher to make a save out of bounds. The hometown Lions earned a corner kick that found the head of
Abigail Frew, however the attempt was high. Mahaffey,
Evalyn Stoner,
Julia Hughes, and Frew all made attempts of their own towards goal, but to no avail before the break.
After nearly 85 scoreless minutes, Myers corralled a lose ball and passed it to Shirk, who found a cutting Mahaffey on the left side of frame. The visitors' goalkeeper came out to challenge Mahaffey, but she strategically placed the shot past the diving attempt of Fisher to put Penn State Harrisburg up 1-0. Penn State Berks quickly responded when they earned a free kick outside the 18 yard box. Devon Deery took the kick which found Macknicki's head and took a bounce before falling to the back of the net to knot the contest up 1-1.
Although each squad had one last attempt on offense, there was not enough time left for either Penn State Berks or Penn State Harrisburg to tally another marker and the game ended in a stalemate.
NOTABLES
- Mahaffey's goal was the 10th of her rookie season.
- Both Shirk and Myers recorded an assist each against the visiting Lions.
- Mulka impressed in goal for Penn State Harrisburg, making four saves.
- The hometown Lions outshot Penn State Berks only slightly, 10-7 and the two teams were even with three corner kicks apiece.
- Stoner, Frew, and
Olivia Sgrignioli all had a pair of attempts, with Frew having one of hers on target.
- Penn State Harrisburg ended the regular season with a conference record of 7-0-1.
WHO'S NEXT?
Penn State Harrisburg earned the top seed in the upcoming United East Tournament. The Lions will host Wilson for quarterfinal action on Saturday, Oct. 31.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can keep up with Penn State Harrisburg Athletics all season long on Instagram, Facebook, X, and Youtube using the handle @
pshbgathletics.
