LANCASTER, Pa. - Penn State Harrisburg's women's soccer team battled to a 2-2 draw with a Franklin & Marshall squad receiving votes in the latest United Soccer Coaches (USC) Top 25 National Rankings on Wednesday night, Sept. 27. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

Penn State Harrisburg overcame an early deficit, took a late lead, and held on for a valuable non-conference draw with one of the nation's top teams in Franklin & Marshall on Wednesday night. 

The regionally-ranked Lions (4-3-2) fell behind midway through the first half when Eileen Harvey corralled an Alison Francis cross in the box and put her attempt into the back of the net in the game's 22nd minute. 

The hometown Diplomats (5-1-2) clung to the one-goal advantage at the break but Kylee Altland put on a one-woman show after halftime when she took possession, drove to her right, and fired off a rocket of a shot through four F&M defenders that ricocheted into the top right corner of the goal and tied things up in the 63rd minute. 

Penn State Harrisburg took advantage of a Diplomat foul 10 minutes later and Kyla Brossoit lofted a beautiful free kick into a wall of players and off the head of an F&M defender and past goalkeeper Lucile Fleming to give the visitors their first lead in the 74th minute. 

F&M responded with plenty of pressure during the final 15 minutes and finally broke through with the equalizer in the 85th minute but goalkeeper Sydney Mulka worked hard in the closing moments to turn away multiple shots on goal and secure the thrilling tie for the Lions. 

NOTABLES

- Wednesday's contest was just the third meeting between the programs. F&M leads the all-time series 2-0-1. 

- Altland's goal was her first of the season and the 17th of her Penn State Harrisburg career. 

- Mulka made a season-high eight saves on the night. 

- The Penn State Harrisburg defense held despite being outshot 27-to-5 overall and 10-to-2 in shots on frame.

- F&M is the second nationally-ranked opponent the Lions have faced this season after also facing TCNJ earlier this fall.

WHO'S NEXT?

The Lions return to conference play when they host Penn College on Saturday afternoon. 

STAY CONNECTED

Fans can keep up with Penn State Harrisburg Athletics all season long on Instagram, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Threads, and Youtube using the handle @pshbgathletics.