MIDDLETOWN, Pa. - Penn State Harrisburg's women's soccer team defeated Penn State Berks 2-1 to capture the United East Championship on Sunday afternoon, Nov. 7. For her efforts, Kylee Altland was named the conference title tournament's most valuable player. With the victory, the Lions earned the program's first-ever berth in the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament. 

HOW IT HAPPENED 

Penn State Harrisburg (12-4-2) secured its first conference championship since 2009 thanks to a 2-1 victory over the defending champs from Penn State Berks (8-9-2) on Sunday afternoon. The win will send the Blue & White to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history. Kylee Altland netted both goals en route to earning tournament MVP recognition. 

The top-seeded Lions struck first when Kylee Altland gathered a pass from Rhyan Socash, evaded a Penn State Berks defender, and beat goalkeeper Savannah McNeal to put the home team out in front in the 16th minute. The visitors ramped up the intensity late in the first half and it paid off when Mary King netted the equalizer with just 2:49 left before halftime.  

Altland struck again in the 58th minute, this time following a Penn State Berks foul. Katie Kosovac took a free kick and lofted a ball into the box. Sarah Toche-Manley headed it to Altland who finished it off with her second of the afternoon.  

Penn State Berks tried to answer back late in the contest but couldn't take advantage of handful of corner kicks or a trio of shots in the final 20 minutes.  

NOTABLES 

- Thanks to the win, Penn State Harrisburg will make its first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance. 

- The conference title is the second in program history and first since the 2009 campaign.  

- The visitors outshot the hometown Lions 12-7 overall and 8-6 in shots on goal. 

- Penn State Berks managed seven corner kicks, while Penn State Harrisburg earned four. 

- With her pair of scores, Kylee Altland matched Rhyan Socash's team-leading total of eight goals this season. 

- Altland and Socash have also totaled a team-high 18 points on the fall. 

- Katie Kosovac increased her team-leading assists total to seven on the year. 

- Delaney Shifflett made six saves to earn the win in goal. 

- Penn State Berks goalkeeper Savannah McNeal made four saves in a losing effort. 

WHO'S NEXT? 

Penn State Harrisburg is headed to the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament for the first time in program history. The Lions will learn their first-round opponent during the NCAA Selection Show on Monday at 1 p.m. 

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