MIDDLETOWN, Pa. – No. 23 Penn State Harrisburg women's soccer opened the 2026 campaign in impressive fashion, battling to a 1-1 draw with No. 5 Messiah in each team's season opener on Tuesday night, Sept. 1.
Julia Hughes netted the first goal of the season and
Ella Shirk recorded an assist.
Sydney Mulka made six saves in goal to preserve the decision for Penn State Harrisburg (0-1-1). Messiah's Alayna Williams scored the equalizer early in the second half, allowing the Falcons (0-1-1) to escape with a draw.
The visitors got off the first two shots on goal but the Lions made their first attempt count when Shirk made a great pass through two defenders that found the feet of a driving Hughes outside the box in the 15th minute. Hughes quickly created space and fired a perfectly-placed shot past a diving Ellie Ockrin from more than 20 yards out and into the left side of the net to give Penn State Harrisburg the early lead with 29:32 left in the opening half.
Mulka made her third save of the night five minutes later and the Penn State Harrisburg defense kept the Falcons from getting off another shot before the break. Messiah turned up the pressure early in the second half and eventually broke through when Williams found the back of the net in the 54th minute.
The Lions regrouped in the final 30 minutes, with Mulka making two more crucial saves. The midfield and back line hunkered down and kept one of the nation's top team's off the board the rest of the way to secure the valuable season-opening tie.
NOTABLES
- The Lions are 1-0-1 in their last two matchups with the nationally-ranked Falcons after defeating No. 4 Messiah last fall.
- Hughes' marker was her first of the season and the 16th of her career.
- Shirk's helper is her first of the year and the third assist of her young career.
- Mulka returned after missing last season with injury and turned in a strong performance, making six stops to earn the decision.
- Williams converted the first goal of the season for the Falcons.
WHO'S NEXT?
The Lions return to action when they host another perennial powerhouse in TCNJ on Saturday evening.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can keep up with Penn State Harrisburg Athletics all season long on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube using the handle @
pshbgathletics.
