Doylestown, Pa. – The Penn State Harrisburg Women's Soccer team got their season off with a win, defeating Delaware Valley 2-0. Freshman Kaeleigh Smedley scored her first career goal in the 4th minute, scoring off a free kick from 18 yards out. Elizabeth Clippinger would quell any hopes of a late rally, scoring in the 83rd minute securing the victory.
The Result:
Penn State Harrisburg 2 vs Delaware Valley 0
Penn State Harrisburg Starters:
Kayla Arnold, Lauryn Six, Mackenzie Haladay, Romina Dichio, Tabitha Fake, Michaela Lowery, Kaeleigh Smedley, Bailey Smith, Paige Sharrow, Haley Vavrek, and Madison Hemler
Delaware Valley Starters:
Young, Young, Myers, Greim, Zilli, Gibson, Hallman, Boyer, Lambert, Paz, and Gibson
Inside the Numbers:
Team Records: Penn State Harrisburg (1-0) vs. Delaware Valley (0-1)
Shots: Harrisburg 11 vs Delaware Valley 6
Shots on Goal: Harrisburg 6 vs Delaware Valley 2
Corner Kicks: Harrisburg 5 vs Delaware Valley 3
Saves: Harrisburg 2 vs Delaware Valley 4
How it Happened:
Penn State Harrisburg got off to a quick start, scoring in the 4th minute. The Lions were pressing the attack drawing a foul just outside the box. Kaeleigh Smedley stepped up to take the free kick and blasted it off the left post and into the back of the net, putting the Lions ahead 1-0. The Lions would continue to push the attack taking 9 shots in the first half, but were unable to capitalize.
The Rams would fight back in the second half, probing the Lions veteran defense, but were unable to find an equalizer. Kayla Arnold would make two key saves keeping Delaware Valley off the scoreboard. Elizabeth Clippinger would then put the game out of reach in the 83rd minute. Michaela Lowery found Clippinger open 20 yards out, and she buried her first goal of the season. The Lions would then close out the 2-0 victory.
Individual Leaders:
Kaeleigh Smedley- Goal
Elizabeth Clippinger- Goal
Michaela Lowery- Assist
What's Next:
The Lions will be back in action tomorrow, September 1st, when they return home to face Dickinson College at 4PM.