McConnell Hat Trick Leads Lady Lions Past Franciscan
ALTOONA, Pa. – Sadie McConnell (New Enterprise, PA/Northern Bedford) scored her first career hat trick, as the Penn State Altoona women's soccer team picked up a 3-0 victory against Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference opponent Franciscan University on Tuesday evening at Spring Run Stadium.
McConnell notched the first three-goal game of her collegiate career, upping her team-leading goal total to nine this season. Her total of three goals is tied for the third-most in a single game in Lady Lions history, and her six points are the fourth-most in a game in team history. McConnell is currently tied for second in the AMCC in goals scored.
Meanwhile, Kierra Irwin (Altoona, PA/Altoona) assisted on each of McConnell's goals. Her three assists are tied for the second-most in a single game in Penn State Altoona women's soccer history, and she is currently tied for the AMCC lead in assists.
In goal for the Lady Lions, Riley Barrett (Sunbury, PA/Shikellamy) made four saves to record her third win of the season and second shutout. She currently ranks first in the AMCC in save percentage (.894), goals allowed (5), and goals against average (0.57).
With Tuesday's win, Penn State Altoona (6-5-2, 3-2-1 AMCC) continued its recent roll. The Lady Lions have gone 3-0-1 in their past four games, all of which were against conference opponents. The team's victory marks its fifth shutout win of the season.
Penn State Altoona grabbed a 1-0 lead midway through the first half. Irwin sent a ball overtop the defense, and McConnell raced past the defenders to collect it and chip a shot past the goalkeeper at 24:51.
The Lady Lions made it 2-0 at 63:17. Irwin passed the ball up the right sideline, where it found McConnell, who fired a shot past the keeper from the right side of the box.
Penn State Altoona increased its lead to 3-0 at 79:46, when Irwin and McConnell teamed up for another goal. Irwin pushed the ball upfield, where McConnell took it, dribbled past the defense, and slipped a shot past the keeper at the edge of the box.
Franciscan (4-8, 3-2 AMCC) led in total shots attempted by a 16-9 margin, but Penn State Altoona had a 6-4 advantage in shots on goal. Corner kicks were tied 3-3.
McConnell tied for the team-high with three total shots, with all three of them being on goal. Rylee Duck (Mifflintown, PA/Juniata) also finished with three shots, including two shots on goal. Sydney Emershaw (Dallas, PA/Dallas) had two shots, with one on goal.
Women's soccer's next game is on the road, as the Lady Lions will travel to Erie, Pa. this Saturday, October 13 for a 2:00 p.m. contest at AMCC opponent Penn State Behrend.
