MIDDLETOWN, Pa. - Penn State Harrisburg's women's soccer team opened conference play with a decisive 5-0 shutout victory over United East foe Notre Dame (Md.) on Saturday afternoon, Sept. 26.
Julia Hughes netted the game-winning marker to lead the way among five different goal scorers, including Olivia Sgrignioli, Brelin Menezes, Kaylee Hope, and Ella Shirk. The defense was also stellar, as the Lions (2-5-1, 1-0-0 United East) held the Gators (2-6-0, 0-1-0 United East) to just three total shots on the day, with none of them coming on frame.
Penn State Harrisburg forced the issue early and was rewarded when Hughes rolled a perfectly-placed ball into the right side of the net off a feed from Esme Hernandez to give the home team the early advantage in the sixth minute. The Lions wasted little time doubling their lead, as Sgrignioli netted a marker off a find from Hughes less than five minutes later.
The home team had multiple chances to tack on some insurance but Gator goalkeeper Leah Hasberry made multiple saves until Menezes lofted a pretty ball into the back of the net from outside the box with less than 15 minutes left until halftime.
Notre Dame earned a couple of corner kicks early in the second half but the Lions had little trouble turning them away. Penn State Harrisburg got back on the board when Hope finished off a pass from Abigail Mahaffey in the 70th minute before Shirk put the finishing touches on the day's scoring with a conversion off a nice feed from Ava Myers with four minutes to play.
NOTABLES
- The Lions finished with a 24-3 advantage in total shots and a 16-0 edge in shots on goal.
- Penn State Harrisburg held a slight 6-5 edge in corner kicks.
- Hughes' goal was her team-leading third of the season. She also recorded her first assist of the fall.
- Sgrignioli's marker was her first of the year.
- Menezes, Hope, and Shirk each netted their first goals of the season on Saturday.
- Goalkeepers Sydney Mulka and Alli Dietz combined for the team's second shutout of the fall.
WHO'S NEXT?
The Lions travel to St. Mary's (Md.) for a rematch of the last two United East Championship Games on Tuesday 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.
