Middletown Pa. - The Harrisburg Blue and White women's soccer team had prepped all weekend for the difficult game they knew was coming against Susquehanna University Tuesday Night.  It was not so much the Crusaders that were going to make it a difficult game, but the Lions being on the road to face a team that had yet to win a game and needed one badly.  

It was the typical trap game.  Harrisburg was winning and playing confident; Susquehanna was desperate for a win and had lost their previous games in tight match ups, playing some very strong squads.  This all added together to make for a long day for the Lions. 

The first half was all Susquehanna.  They had 6 shots on goal compared to Harrisburg's one.  The Corner kicks were 5-1 in favor of the home team and Harrisburg could not find their offensive threats at all.  Despite all the numbers, the Lions back line withstood the pressure with confidence and did not give up any real dangerous threats. 

Harrisburg made some early second half adjustments to try and spur the offense into action.  Today, it was not to be and instead the Lions found themselves down 1-0 after giving up an easy breakaway that left Goalkeeper Mackenzie Gates (Harrisburg, Pa. / Central Dauphin) without any chance of keeping the shut out she worked so hard for.  In fairness to the Defense, despite the one mistake, they were definitely the bright spot of the game for Harrisburg.  Central defender Danell Engle (Halifax, Pa. / Halifax) played extremely well making some crucial stops for a very solid performance throughout the game.  

I wish at this point we could discuss the chances created in the final minutes and explain how the Lions gave every effort to force overtime with a late goal.  Unfortunately, Harrisburg played very individually and would not allow the ball or their teammates to help them move up the field as a unit.  "Today was the first time we really did not give the effort I expect from our team as a whole.  We could not connect passes and we really did not deserve to win the game."  Penn State Harrisburg's Coach Adam Clay continued with. "We have to stop playing good games by positions.  One game our defense plays well, the next game our midfield or forwards.   Saturday we need to prove to ourselves that we can put it all together and play as one unit."

Harrisburg has a lot of potential and with the first third of the season done, now sits with a solid 4-2 record.  They will get to come back home Saturday, where they are 3-0, when they host Penn College of Technology at noon.