COBLESKILL, N.Y. - The Penn State Harrisburg women had something to prove today after not playing their best soccer yesterday in a win over SUNYIT. The blue and white women found their stride the very next day on the way to a 4-0 win against SUNY Cobleskill.
The Lions started the game strong creating many opportunities early in the contest. Eventually it was a Lindsey Haldeman (Grantville, Pa. / Hershey Christian) free kick that squeaked by the SUNY keeper giving the ladies an early 1-0 advantage.
Fay Ansary (Hummelstown, Pa. / Hershey) continued to show her natural ability to find the net as she buried her sixth goal of the season. Kristin Peckman (Chambersburg, Pa. / James Buchanan) was credited for her first assist of the season with a nice through ball to Ansary.
"Peckman played a great game today at right back," said Penn State Harrisburg Head Coach Adam Clay following the game.
The first 25 minutes of the second half truly showcased the Lions playing team soccer better than any game so far this season. Penn State Harrisburg found its central midfield shape today and the ball switching from side to side was one of the byproducts of today's solid midfield play.
It also helped lead to a corner kick and the Lions' third goal today when Lyndsay Naughton (Reading, Pa. / Reading Central Catholic) showed composure and placed her shot between the goalie and line of defenders for her sixth score of the year.
The Gates' twins combined for the last goal of the day when Morgan Gates (Harrisburg, Pa. / Central Dauphin) sent a strong corner kick and found her sister Mackenzie (Harrisburg, Pa. / Central Dauphin), playing the field for the first time this season, who headed the ball into the back of the net.
"We played a stellar second half; the girls really started picking up their level of play," said fourth year Assistant Coach Jen Cornetto. "The girls were working the ball around, switching fields and doing what we have been working with them in practice. Morgan Gates really stepped up our play in the central midfield, moving and distributing the ball from side to side today."
Penn State Harrisburg will travel again next weekend, starting with a matchup on Saturday, Oct. 6 when the Lions face off against Lancaster Bible. The Chargers will surely be eager to try and blemish the Lions' undefeated conference record.