MIDDLETOWN, Pa- Penn State Harrisburg's women's soccer team lost their first home game 3-0 to the Shorewomen of Washington College. The first half of the game was played evenly, with both teams playing well defensively, and after the first 45 minutes the game was tied 0-0.
The second half started the same way as a defensive struggle, but then in the 60th minute Bailey Howard made a cross from the right side to Suzanne Patinella whose shot ricocheted off the left post before bouncing past Penn State Harrisburg goalie Mackenzie Gates (Harrisburg, Pa. / Central Dauphin) and into the back of the net. Later in the half Washington's Laura Tocci made a crisp pass to Heather Smith who gathered the ball and fired a shot into the right corner of the goal. Then a Harrisburg foul set up a penalty kick that Smith converted despite Gates' valiant attempt to get the save.
After the strong effort from the Lions in the first half, Coach Adam Clay felt the intensity dropped off in the second half.
"We can't win if we get outworked, make rookie mistakes, and the other team wants it more," said Clay. "I hope this loss will wake us up and get us back on track."
The Shorewomen outshot the Lions 21-3. Despite allowing three goals, Gates was sound in goal and made ten saves, which was her second-highest total of the season.
The Lions will next be in action Saturday September, 28 at 1 p.m. against Southern Virginia in their conference opener.
