NCAA Division III Women's Soccer Championship Tournament – First Round
Penn State Harrisburg at No. 7 McDaniel
Saturday, Nov. 13 | 11 a.m. | Westminster, Md. | McDaniel College
Penn State Harrisburg is making its first-ever trip to the NCAA Division III Women's Soccer Championship Tournament thanks to winning the 2021 United East Championship. The Lions travel to McDaniel to face the No. 7 Green Terror in first-round action in Westminster, Md. on Saturday morning, Nov. 13.
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LAST TIME OUT
Penn State Harrisburg secured its first conference title since 2009 thanks to a 2-1 victory over the defending champs from Penn State Berks on Sunday afternoon. The top-seeded Lions struck first when Kylee Altland gathered a pass from Rhyan Socash, evaded a defender, and beat goalkeeper Savannah McNeal to put the home team ahead in the 16th minute. The visitors ramped up the intensity late in the first half and it paid off when Mary King netted the equalizer with just 2:49 left before halftime. But Altland struck again in the 58th minute, this time following a Penn State Berks foul. Katie Kosovac took a free kick and lofted a ball into the box. Sarah Toche-Manley headed it to Altland who finished it off with the game-winner. For her efforts, Altland was named the United East Championship Tournament's most valuable player.
MAKING HISTORY
Penn State Harrisburg's women's soccer team is making its first NCAA Division III Championship Tournament appearance in program history. The Lions won the United East Championship to earn the conference's automatic berth to the big dance. The women's soccer program won its first conference title in 2009 but was unable to participate in that season's national tournament.
COACH WEST IN THE NATIONAL TOURNAMENT
Penn State Harrisburg's Brandon West is making his first trip to the NCAA Tournament as a head coach but he is no stranger to the national tourney. During his playing days as a goalkeeper at perennial contender Messiah, West made four consecutive trips to the big dance and won back-to-back national championships in 2012 and 2013, respectively. As an assistant coach at his alma mater, he made another trip to NCAAs in 2016 before making another run to the national tournament, this time as an assistant at Division I Liberty in the spring of 2021.
LIONS SECURE TOP HONORS
In his first season at the helm of the program, Penn State Harrisburg head coach Brandon West was voted the United East Women's Soccer Coach of the Year by his peers. In addition to West's major award, seven players earned all-conference recognition. Sarah Toche-Manley and Katie Brown were named to the United East All-Conference First Team, while Rhyan Socash, Kylee Altland, Amy Patkos, Delaney Shifflett, and Sydney Hemler garnered second-team all-conference honors.
DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS
The Lions have been getting it done defensively this season, posting a .72 goals against average and surrendering just two goals to conference opponents this fall. Penn State Harrisburg has recorded 13 shutouts on the year and the team's .650 shutout percentage currently ranks 20th in the nation.
STILL STREAKING
Penn State Harrisburg is currently riding an eight-game winning streak entering NCAA play – a mark that along with Lesley is the ninth-longest of any NCAA Tournament team. The Lions have not lost a game since a 2-1 setback to Mt. Aloysius on Oct. 6.
WEEKLY RECOGNITION
Thanks to their stellar play throughout the regular season, Penn State Harrisburg players notched four United East Offensive and/or Defensive Player of the Week awards this fall. Delaney Shifflett (9/13) was named the defensive player of the week in mid-September before Rhyan Socash (9/20) earned offensive player of the week recognition seven days later. Kylee Altland (10/19) nabbed offensive player of the week honors in mid-October, while Sydney Hemler (10/25) secured defensive player of the week accolades later in the month.
SOCCER SCHOOL
Penn State Harrisburg is one of 26 Division III schools to be represented in the 2021 NCAA Tournament by both its men's and women's soccer teams.
HOW THEY GOT HERE
Penn State Harrisburg earned an automatic bid to its first-ever NCAA Tournament thanks to capturing the United East Championship. The hosts from No. 7 McDaniel will be making their fourth trip to the national tournament and their first since 2017 after winning the Centennial Conference Championship over Franklin & Marshall in penalty kicks. No. 15 Carnegie Mellon is making its eighth NCAA Tournament appearance in nine years and eighth overall. The nationally-ranked Tartans earned an at-large bid to this year's big dance. Trine also secured an at-large bid and will compete in the national tournament for the first time in program history after finishing as the runner-up in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) Title Tournament.
WHAT'S NEXT?
If the Lions pull off the upset of McDaniel in their first-round contest on Saturday, they'll take on the winner of the Carnegie Mellon/Trine matchup in second-round action on Sunday afternoon.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can keep up with Penn State Harrisburg Athletics all season long on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook using the handle @pshbgathletics.