Middletown, Pa.- The Penn State Harrisburg women's soccer team dominated Penn College this afternoon in a much needed win for the team. The game was very physical but the women stood tough and claimed their first win of the season 1-0 on Wednesday September 23rd.
The first twenty minutes of the game were very evenly matched until the Nittany Lions began to take control of the contest. Sophomore Erica Hile (Ickesburg, Pa. / West Perry) made a beautiful run into the box and finished a cross from teammate Kylie Courtney (Honey Brook, Pa. / Twin Valley). Hile slid the ball straight past the Penn's goalkeeper and into the back of the net.
Harrisburg had plenty of chances to add to the score line, but were unable to find the final touch. Penn College had a few chances of their own, but the Lion's defense did not back down.
The center back duo of Morgan Gates (Harrisburg, Pa. / Central Dauphin) and Eliza Grim (Millersburg, Pa./ Millersburg HS) played strong as if they have been side by side for the past four years. Outside back Kristin Peckman (Chambersburg, Pa. / James Buchanan) added an attacking threat throughout the game on top of her stellar defensive presence and Freshman Angie Soltys (Elmowood Park, NJ/ Memorial High School) had her best performance of her short collegiate career to this point. All of their efforts combined with goalkeeper Samantha Kutcher (Lititz, Pa./ Warwick) gave the Blue and White their first win and shutout of the season.
Penn State Harrisburg will start Capital Athletic Conference (CAC) play when they travel to Salisbury on Saturday for their first conference game of the year. Game time is scheduled for 2:00 pm.
