MIDDLETOWN, Pa. – The Penn State Harrisburg women's soccer team made just one change to its starting lineup for their second game of the season.  Even with only one slight alteration, it was obvious from the opening whistle that the Lions looked like a different squad facing the College of Wooster Fighting Scots on Sunday, Sep. 2.  The end result, a 5-0 loss, wasn't what the blue and white had hoped for but the improvements after just one game were evident. 

Some of the Lions' defensive flaws that had allowed for a multitude of goals the previous day against Dickinson College appeared to be resolved. 

"We talk tirelessly about making sure leaving open back door runners would not be the reason we gave up goals today," said Penn State Harrisburg Head Coach Adam Clay. 

This was the case for today's game, but 15 minutes in the Scots found the net for the first time.  The Lions were not about to concede the game and played a very solid first half until giving up a late goal with three minutes to go before the break making it 2-0 Wooster at the midpoint.

The second half stayed fairly even until about 15 minutes into the period a seven minute mental and physical breakdown at the game's end allowed the Scots to earn three goals goals and a 5-0 advantage over the Lions.  Surprisingly, despite trailing 5-0, Penn State Harrisburg showed plenty of character and spirit and kept the ball in Wooster's defensive end for nearly ten minutes.  This included sophomore forward Nikki Francis (Pottstown, Pa. / Owen J. Roberts) receiving a nice through-ball from central mid-fielder Rachael Shetler (Peqlia, Pa / Penn Manor), creating a one-on-one opportunity with the Wooster goalkeeper.  Unfortunately, the goalie made a great play and was able to secure the shutout for the Scots.  

Another quality chance came in the last few minutes when a Lindsey Haldeman (Grantville, Pa. / Hershey Christian) cross found Tina Martino (Essington, Pa. / Interboro) who looked like a pro as she shielded and turned the ball inside the box filled with traffic, only to miss just wide of the mark. 

Penn State Harrisburg keeper Janelle Hammond (New Cumberland, Pa. / Cedar Cliff), although giving up five goals in the game, played extremely well and made an impressive 16 saves to keep the game competitive for most of the match. 

The Lions hope to continue improving and are looking forward to a day off before traveling with the men's team for the school's first double header of the 2012 campaign at Valley Forge Christian College on Sep. 4.  Both teams need to use Tuesday's game to gather some momentum leading up to the home opener against Mt Aloysius College this coming Saturday.