ST. MARY'S, Md. - Penn State Harrisburg's men's soccer team shut out regionally-ranked Lancaster Bible 3-0 in the semifinal round of the United East Championship Tournament hosted by St. Mary's (Md.) on Friday night. With the win, the Lions (10-2-6) clinched a spot in Saturday's championship game.
The second-seeded Lions took an early lead when Daryl Lucas lofted a beautiful ball into box from the left sideline to a leaping Kobe Harris who finished it off with a header past Lancaster Bible goalkeeper Isaac Barrow in the 17th minute.
Penn State Harrisburg added on before halftime when Anson Portzline and Ben Stuckert executed one-touch passing to perfection, with Stuckert leading Portzline with a well-placed touch before the latter created space and fired his attempt into the back of the net in the 39th minute.
The Lions tacked on an insurance goal with 31 minutes left in regulation when a Marc Rodgers corner kick insertion headed home by Daryl Lucas barely broke the goal line. The defensive unit kept a talented Chargers (12-4-3) offense at bay the rest of the way to preserve the shutout victory.
NOTABLES
- Penn State Harrisburg will head to its third consecutive conference title game.
- The Lions have now defeated regionally-ranked teams in back-to-back contests.
- Penn State Harrisburg extended its recent unbeaten streak to 12 games.
- Harris' goal was his team-leading 11th of the season and second game winner.
- Lucas' marker was his eighth of the year and his sixth in the last four outings.
- Portzline's score was his second of the fall.
- Rodgers' assist on the final goal was his sixth of the year.
- Esteban Leon made a pair of saves in goal to preserve the shutout.
- The Lions outshot Lancaster Bible 21-8 overall and 7-2 in shots on frame.
WHO'S NEXT?
The Lions will try to capture their third straight conference title when they take on top-seeded St. Mary's (Md.) in the United East Championship Game on Saturday afternoon. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m.
STAY CONNECTED
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