Over the weekend, Elizabethtown College took on the visiting Penn State Berks Nittany Lions in a non-conference women’s soccer matchup. The Blue Jays came into this game after drawing in their last three matches, only conceding one goal between those games. Junior defender Sara Bean had netted the only goal in the three game stretch, scoring a penalty kick against Gettysburg College.
Etown’s defense had been on point, led by the captain in senior defender Olivia Herbert, allowing the lone goal in the first half of the matchup against Gettysburg and holding teams scoreless through two and a half games of soccer. The Nittany Lions came into the game 1-2 over the past three games, including a 2-0 victory over Albright College and a loss against the #1 Division III team in Messiah University.
Penn State put the pressure on early, executing a set-piece kickoff to find a cross from junior forward Paige Thomas bouncing through the box and off the crossbar within the first minute of play. Etown didn’t let that scare prevent their offense from being effective, as they had been holding possession and taking multiple shots and earning multiple corners. The Blue Jays and the Nittany Lions had the ball most of the first half around the half field line, both trading great defensive tackles and interceptions, not allowing either side to break through.
Etown made a substitution to bring on first-year forward Grace Tessier, who immediately made an impact to fuel an offensive attack. After senior midfielder Jenna Hoffman sent a through ball from around 30 yards out to Tessier in the box, the first-year forward was able to send a shot into the back of the net, just out of reach from the senior Nittany Lion goalkeeper Sophia Gonzalez as it tipped off her fingertips. Etown gathered themselves after their post-goal celebrations and reapplied the pressure on the Penn State defense.
The Nittany Lions were playing aggressively, with senior left-winger Ashley Jocham getting into altercations with Etown’s sophomore midfielder Sky Shinnen, causing her to pick up a yellow card right before the halftime break.
Penn State tried to change things around in the second half, attempting to add pressure onto the Etown defense, including multiple shots on goal. The Blue Jays held their ground strongly, however, a shot from Penn State deflected off the outstretched arm of an Etown defender, giving the referee no choice but to award a penalty for the Nittany Lions. Senior midfielder Faith Waverchak slotted the penalty into the right side netting, tying the game up at one goal apiece. Etown tried to get the lead back once more. However, the Penn State defense was strong, with Gonzalez and junior defender Lauren LeKites making a plethora of saves and tackles to hold the Etown score to only one goal. After a few more counter attacks, Penn State held onto the lead, finishing the game 1-1 as the Nittany Lions had tied with the Blue Jays.
Tessier led the Etown efforts, recording a goal off of a Hoffman assist. Senior forward Skylar Mumford added the offensive pressure, recording four shots with two being on goal. First-year goalkeeper Ella Smith continued her dominant efforts in goal, only allowing one goal and making two saves in the contest. The Blue Jays will face off against Susquehanna University for the Homecoming weekend Landmark Conference matchup on Oct. 4.
