NORTH BRUNSWICK, N.J. - The Penn State Harrisburg women's soccer team found itself in an unfamiliar position for its matchup against the St. Elizabeth Eagles Sunday, Oct. 7.  For the first time this season, the Lions would have to refocus and find their legs after their first conference loss to Lancaster Bible the day before.  The ladies focus and energy showed that there would be no layover as Penn State Harrisburg topped the Eagles 4-1.

The blue and white have had to go through more than a few adjustments this year with a new head coach and system of play in addition to quite a few new faces to joining the Penn State Harrisburg squad.  It has been an exciting if bumpy ride for the ladies so far this season who are currently 7-4.  The matchup against St. Elizabeth was a unique contest as the fans in attendance were treated to seeing the Lion women become a pride.

The four goals scored on the day came from a multitude of players.  Nikki Francis (Pottstown, Pa. / Owen J. Roberts) got Penn State Harrisburg started with a great drive down the left flank before cutting it back to her right foot for her sixth goal of the season.  Lyndsay Naughton (Reading, Pa. / Reading Central Catholic) put the team up by two going into halftime with an amazing diagonal run and shot after receiving a well-weighted through ball from Lauren Ertl (Wildwood, N.J. / Williamstown).

The Lions continued to press in the second half and were able to create another two goals.  Danell Engle (Halifax, Pa. / Halifax) was hopping out of her shoes when she got the third goal for the blue and white after a Naughton hard shot could not be handled by the Eagles' goalkeeper.

Mae Lynn Gonzalez (Blakeslee, Pa. / Pocono Mountain West) got her first goal of the season with a well-placed strike to give the Lions a 4-0 advantage.  Mackenzie Gates (Harrisburg, Pa. / Central Dauphin) worked extremely hard to set up Gonzalez and earn herself the assist on her day off from the goalkeeper position.

The hard fighting players of St Elizabeth would not be shut out on the day and worked hard to get their late goal, ending the game at 4-1.  Despite the one defensive letdown, Penn State Harrisburg's back line played extremely well and was the starting point for many of the switches and attacks created today.

"Today's game was great," said Penn State Harrisburg Head Coach Adam Clay.  "Our team really came together and all our goals came from switching the field and unselfish good passes.  The way the girls handled themselves as team today really made me proud to be their coach.  We still need to continue to improve every game and reach our goal of playing a full 90 minutes at the level we played most of the game, but after today I have no doubt by the time we reach playoffs we will be."

The Lions have a busy week filled with three home games in five days.  They start Wednesday, Oct. 10 at 4 p.m. when they host 9-2-1 Goucher College.