MIDDLETOWN, Pa. – Three goals.  Two feats.  One win.  On Wednesday night, Oct. 23, Penn State Harrisburg women's soccer player Rachel Shetler (Pequea, Pa. / Penn Manor) achieved one of soccer's most renowned offensive accomplishments when she recorded her first career hat trick in the Lions' 4-0 shutout victory over Capital Athletic Conference (CAC) opponent Wesley.  Even more impressive than her individual effort was her leading the Blue & White to the school's first-ever head-to-head CAC victory of any kind. 

The win came during a strong three-game stretch that saw Penn State Harrisburg avenge two years' worth of playoff losses to former North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) rival Lancaster Bible in a double overtime thriller while also playing one of its better conference games of the season against CAC foe Mary Washington four days prior.

Against the Wolverines, the Blue & White scored early and often, with the first goal coming just three minutes into the contest.  Junior captain Hannah Jorich (Middletown, Pa. / Middletown Area) made a pass in traffic and found fellow junior Danell Engle (Halifax, Pa. / Halifax) in front of Wesley's net.  Engle put her shot past the Wolverine keeper and gave the Lions a 1-0 lead right out of the gate.

From there, the duo of Shetler and senior captain Kara Hoy (Camp Hill, Pa. / Camp Hill) made their mark on the matchup.  In the 17th minute, Hoy's free kick from the right sideline found Shetler's leg in front of Wesley's goal and the sophomore captain did the rest, hammering home the team's second score of the night.

Later in the first half, Hoy was fouled and again awarded a free kick.  The visitors had seen this movie play out just 25 minutes earlier but it didn't stop Hoy from hooking up with Shetler to create the pair's second scoring connection of the match.  Shetler's header gave Penn State Harrisburg a comfortable 3-0 advantage at the half.

After the break, it didn't take long for Shetler to strike again.  This time it was Jorich making the pivotal feed from the right side of the box that allowed Shetler to gather the ball and put home her third and final goal of the evening just three minutes into the second half.  Her final score slammed the door on any sort of Wesley comeback effort and etched Shetler's name into the school's record book as one of just a handful of young ladies to pull off a hat trick and the first to do so against CAC competition.

Jorich and Hoy recorded two assists apiece and Penn State Harrisburg goalkeeper and female Student-Athlete of the Year Mackenzie Gates (Harrisburg, Pa. / Central Dauphin) made five goals on the night; a nice respite for the young lady who made a school-record 154 saves last season and averaged nearly 10 stops per outing.

The historic win was a huge step in the right direction for a Penn State Harrisburg program just two months removed from its first foray into CAC play.

But this night belonged to Shetler.

Following the contest, she discussed her impressive and rare achievement and reflected on the individual highlight of her young collegiate career as only she could. 

"I'm content," she said.

And on that night, so were we.

Be sure to check back later as we continue counting down Penn State Harrisburg's top ten moments of the 2013-14 season.  From one great individual effort to another – next time we go two-for-one and highlight a pair of young men that toppled school records just a few short months ago...