HOBOKEN, N.J. - Three days after battling No. 17 Johns Hopkins before falling by the slimmest of margins, Penn State Harrisburg's women's soccer team broke through with a 2-0 shutout victory at Stevens on Saturday afternoon, Sept. 19.
Kylie Yap recorded the game-winning goal when she converted a penalty kick early in the second half and Teagan Paragon put the finishing touches on the victory with a pretty strike from more than 20 yards out in the final three minutes. Goalkeepers Sydney Mulka and Alli Dietz combined to make four saves to preserve the clean sheet.
Defense led the way for both squads in the first half, as neither team was able to find the back of the net in the opening 45 minutes. The Lions (1-4-1) took advantage of Stevens miscue early in the second, however, when Ava Myers when fouled in the box. Yap's number was called for the PK and she came through, converting the attempt to put the visitors ahead in the 53rd minute.
Dietz made a couple of crucial stops midway through the second half before Julia Hughes and Yap turned up the aggression and got off multiple attempts in the closing minutes. With three minutes remaining, Stevens goalkeeper Maria O'Brien tried to clear a ball but Paragon stepped in front of a Duck, swiped it, and quickly fired a shot into the top right corner of the net from nearly 25 yards away to put the game on ice in impressive fashion.
NOTABLES
- Each team got off nine shots on the day, with Penn State Harrisburg holding a 6-5 edge in shots on frame.
- The Ducks finished with a 5-1 advantage in corner kicks.
- Yap's goal was her second of the season and her first game-winner this fall.
- Paragon's marker was her second of the year.
- Dietz made three saves on the day, while Mulka made one stop in the first half.
WHO'S NEXT?
The Lions host Eastern for another non-conference matchup on Wednesday night.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can keep up with Penn State Harrisburg Athletics all season long on Instagram, Facebook, X, and Youtube using the handle @pshbgathletics.
