Middletown Pa - Penn State Women's soccer team and rival Penn State Berks met today for a game full of excitement and consequences. The 2-0 win for Berks gives them first place, a bye, and hosting rights for the conference final four next weekend while Harrisburg finishes third and will host Keuka College in the first round of playoffs scheduled for 2:00 Wednesday.
Today's game was also extra special for Senior Jordyn Cooper (Pittsfield, Mass. / Wahconah) who was recognized for her four year career at Penn State Harrisburg. See her interview below.
The result may have gone in the Berks favor, but Harrisburg had quite a few quality chances to earn themselves second place and a bye to the final four. The blue and white lions started off strong from the initial whistle, but would find the net hard to reach regardless of the many chances they would create on the day. The best first half chance came when Fay Ansary (Hummelstown, Pa/ Hershey) found herself 1v1 with the keeper just six yards out and put it right into the keeper's hands on an opportunity she has scored time and time again this season finding herself as one of the top league goal scorers as a freshman. The Harrisburg Lions held the possession advantage for most of the first half, but were not able to capitalize on their chances and the score remained tied going into halftime.
Penn State Berks fired early in the second half scoring two nice header goals, both from Meaghan Daily, in the first 6 minutes of the second half. Unfortunately, regardless of the pressure Harrisburg put forth for the remainder of the half, they could not crake the Berks back line. Harrisburg pushed numbers forward, hit the post, created scoring opportunities, and had a potential PK not called as Lyndsay Naughton(Reading Pa/ Reading Central Catholic) took a punch to the face from the visiting GK that was considered incidental contact as her header was cleared off the line from the hard working Berk's defense backing up their goalie to keep the shut out.
The Harrisburg lions will get their chance for a rematch, if and when they reach the NEAC conference finals next weekend. To get that opportunity, the lions will have to start their playoff run by taking down Keuka College for a second time this season when they host the first round of playoffs next Wednesday at 2:00.
Click below for post game comments from head Coach Adam Clay and Kara Hoy.