Doylestown, Pa.– The Penn State Harrisburg women's soccer team got off to a great start facing off against the Delaware Valley Aggies on the road Friday night. The Lions scored twice and put a damper on the home team's first ever night game played at Delaware Valley's stadium.
Harrisburg did not waste anytime scoring their first goal of the season. Just seven minutes into the first half forward Alyssa Crowley (Sunbury, Pa. / Shikellamy) made a great run and pass to Mel Snyder (Boyertown, Pa. / Boyertown) who hit a one touch through ball to central midfielder Hannah Jorich (Middletown, Pa. / Middletown) who forced out the Aggie GK before striking home the eventual game winner.
The Blue and White were able to keep the lead thanks to GK Mackenzie Gates (Harrisburg, Pa. / Central Dauphin) making a great reaction save on a Delaware Valley's strong run and shot by Mary Taylor that could have tied things up just before the half.
The Lions continued working the ball nicely in the second half, forcing the Aggies to work hard to win the ball back. As the game wound down, Delaware Valley really started to push for the equalizer. Leann Kazawic (Stanhope, N.J. / Sussex Tech) showed off her speed as she drove the ball fifty yards from midfield and then found Mel Snyder who got her second assist on the night with a touch pass to Erica Hile (Ickesburg, Pa. / West Perry) who put a stop to the Aggies push to equalize. Hile's first collegiate goal put the Lions up 2-0 in the 83rd minute.
"It was a great way to start the season, the entire team played well and worked on both sides of the ball to help Mackenzie earn the shutout. Especially our freshman who made a great impact in their college debut." According to assistant coach Rudy Grubesky who was quoted following the match.
Harrisburg host Mt. Aloysius Wednesday September 3rd at 5:00 pm for their first home game of the year.