ELMIRA, N.Y. – Junior forward Jon Willingham (Harrisburg, Pa. / Sci-Tech High) headed home the Lions' first goal of the 2013 season but Penn State Harrisburg fell to Elmira 2-1 in the teams' opener on Sunday afternoon, Sep. 1.
Willingham's score came in the match's 85th minute off an assist from senior captain Justin Henderson (Cherry Hill, N.J. / Cherry Hill East). Unfortunately, with little time left in regulation following the conversion, the Blue & White never got the equalizer needed to extend the contest.
The first goal of the day came when Elmira's Ernesto Valverde found teammate Ryan Bertsch off a corner kick and Bertsch put his shot past Penn State Harrisburg sophomore goalkeeper Deven Gerhart (Newmanstown, Pa. / ELCO) and into the back of the net in the game's 21st minute.
The Soaring Eagles extended their lead to 2-0 early in the second half when Michael Bryant connected on his first score of the year thanks to an assist from Jared Cipriano in the match's 56th minute.
Following a slow start offensively, the Lions were more aggressive after halftime. Following Bryant's goal, both Henderson and junior Ricardo Quintana (Toluco, Mexico / Avon Grove) fired off shots within moments of each other that missed high. Henderson had one last look with just over 20 seconds remaining in the game but Elmira goalie Nick Lapinski made the save.
After managing just three shots in the first half, the Blue & White upped that number to eight in the second period, forcing Lapinski to make three saves after the break as compared to just one stop prior to halftime. Despite allowing two scores on the afternoon, Gerhart was solid in goal and made seven saves. Of the Lions' 11 total shots, five of them were on target. Elmira got off 15 attempts, nine of which were shots on goal.
"It was a tough, tough game," said Penn State Harrisburg head coach Seamus Donnelly. "Exactly what we needed for this season ahead of us. While we are disappointed with the actual result, there were an awful lot of positives to be taken from our performance. We will get better and we will be ready for the challenges ahead."
Penn State Harrisburg will look to bounce back and even its record when the Lions host Valley Forge Christian in the team's home opener this Thursday night, Sep. 5.