Middletown, Pa. – Bailey Smith drove in a double overtime goal to give the Lions a 1-0 victory over local Capital Athletic Conference (CAC) rival York College. The Lions goal was set up with a well placed free kick by Madison Hemler. The Lions improve to 2-1 in the conference with the win.
The Result:
Penn State Harrisburg 1 vs York 0 (2OT)
Penn State Harrisburg Starters:
Kayla Arnold, Raquel Grice, Bailey Smith, Kristen Stark, Tabitha Fake, Eliza Grim, Rachel Asper, Erica Hile, Erin Kulp, Haley Vavrek, and Madison Hemler
York Starters:
Jess Wieber, Marisa Brisbane, Noelle Spinosa, Natalie McCarthy, Maxine Herman, Skyler Wilt, Ryan Hussey, Alyssa Rankin, Alexis Munshower, Caitlin Rankin, Kaylyn Watts
Inside the Numbers:
- Team Records: Penn State Harrisburg (9-3 Overall 2-1 CAC) vs York (2-7-1 Overall 1-2 CAC)
- Shots: Harrisburg 11 vs York 11
- Shots on Goal: Harrisburg 6 vs York 3
- Corner Kicks: Harrisburg 5 vs York 2
- Saves: Harrisburg 3 vs York 5
How it Happened:
This highly competitive contest was back and forth from the start. The Spartans controlled play early out shooting the Lions 5-2 in the first half. The Lions did have an excellent scoring opportunity in the half when Elizabeth Clippinger played a ball back over her head into the box, but the Lions were unable to finish the chance. Harrisburg continued attacking the second half, taking four more shots. Erica Hile rocketed a ball from outside the eighteen yard box in the 52nd minute that clanged off the cross bar. The game would remain scoreless through the rest of regulation and the first overtime. Starting the second overtime, a Spartan attacker stole the opening kick and raced down the field looking for the win. However, Rachel Asper blocked her attempt, sending the ball up the field where the Lions would draw a foul about 35 yards out. Madison Hemler stepped up to take the free kick and played a beautiful ball into the box finding Bailey Smith for the walk off game winner.
Individual Leaders:
Penn State Harrisburg:
Bailey Smith- Game Winning Goal
Madison Hemler- Assist
Kayla Arnold - shutout win, 3 saves
Coaches Thoughts: Head Coach Adam Clay
"We did not perform to our highest level, but fought extremely hard and defended the final third well. I was very happy about the effort and the result as it felt like the woman really did not want to settle for a tie." We all knew how important this result is going to be at the end of the season when the points get the final tally and it should give us the confidence we need moving into the weekend."
What's Next:
Penn State Harrisburg will be back in action Saturday October 7th when they travel to face off against CAC foe Salisbury.