MARCY, N.Y. - The Penn State Harrisburg women's soccer team looked focused and ready to play against conference rival SUNYIT when warming up prior to kick off on Saturday, Sep. 29. Despite winning the North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) matchup 3-2, the 90 minutes the Lions played would not match the intensity and focus of warm-ups.
Harrisburg traveled six hours to play the Wildcats, who were eager to receive them as they set the tone early with some very hard tackles. The Lions got a little shell shocked and let SUNYIT's physical game and hard work get to them.
Fortunately for Penn State Harrisburg, a few players' individual performances would be just enough to get the team the win. Lyndsay Naughton (Reading, Pa. / Reading Central Catholic) scored the first goal of the five total scores on the day off a well-placed Rachel Shetler (Pequa, Pa. / Penn Manor) through ball. Naughton ran past the defense and took the goalie on before placing her shot nicely into the left corner just seven minutes into the game.
SUNYIT was able to put together a nice combination to earn a cross, shot and goal to tie the game at 1-1 25 minutes into the first half. Naughton would get her second goal at the 41-minute mark in similar fashion to her first. Lindsey Haldeman (Grantville, Pa. / Hershey Christian) brought the ball up from center back and used her dynamite left foot to find Naughton behind the defense for a second 1v1 opportunity. Instead of shooting, she dribbled by the keeper to finish an open net shot making the score 2-1 going into halftime.
The second half play was no better than the first for the Lions except for a few key plays that helped keep the lead for the visitors. This especially included a strong effort from the center back in Haldeman who showed her desire to leave the field with nothing but a win today. Kara Hoy (Camp Hill, Pa. / Camp Hill) also made a nice adjustment moving to center back with Haldeman to help seal the win.
Shetler, despite being just a freshman, continues to be a leader for the blue and white. Her strong finish from one of the few switches the Lions created courtesy of Hoy's pass ended up bring very crucial. Her 84th minute goal would end up being the game-winner.
The Wildcats did not quit and made Penn State Harrisburg sweat out the last minute after scoring to make the game 3-2 in the final minute.
"I am happy the girls got the win but our team performance was the worst of the season," said Clay following the game. "We got out-worked, did not connect passes or switch the fields at all."
"The one positive from today was seeing a few individual players step up and put the team on their shoulders to make sure came home with a win," he continued. "Individuals may be able to get us a few wins but playing well as a team is the only way to win championships."
The Lions face another NEAC opponent in SUNY Cobbleskill on Sunday in an effort to go to 5-0 in conference play.