Selinsgrove Pa. – The Penn State Harrisburg women's soccer team suffered a heartbreaking road loss to Susquehanna University on Saturday September 8th. The Lions scored first, but a late goal by the River Hawks sent the game to overtime before claiming the exciting 2-1 win.
Harrisburg started the game strong, controlling most of the tempo in the first twenty minutes of play. As the first half progressed, Susquehanna found their rhythm and started to create some chances of their own, but the Lions goalkeeper Kayla Arnold made some clutch saves to keep the clean sheet. In the second half, it felt as though one goal may determine the outcome. Mackenzie Haladay showed her ability in the air with a very impressive header goal thanks to a Kaeleigh Smedley corner kick in the 63rd minute.
Madison Hemler nearly sealed the game winner off a direct free kick she hit to the top corner, but the Susquehanna keeper was equally ready and pushed the ball wide for a corner kick. Unfortunately, Susquehanna reacted quickly on their clearance and found themselves a counter attacking goal to tie the game with just 9 minutes to play.
In the overtime period, the Lions struggled to regroup and find the will to battle back for the win they were so close to having just a few minutes before. The River Hawks came firing and eventually found the net as the end of the first overtime approached.
The Lions are now 1-3 and will hope to regroup on Wednesday September 12th when they host the Lancaster Bible Chargers at 4pm.