Photo: Penn State Altoona's Kierra Irwin dribbles through the defense during her team's win over Penn College on Wednesday night at Spring Run Stadium.
Photo: Penn State Altoona's Kierra Irwin dribbles through the defense during her team's win over Penn College on Wednesday night at Spring Run Stadium.

Lady Lions Post 3-1 Win Over Wildcats

ALTOONA, Pa. – A well-rounded performance by the Penn State Altoona women's soccer team on Wednesday night led to the Lady Lions defeating non-conference opponent Penn College 3-1 at Spring Run Stadium.

On offense, Penn State Altoona (7-6-2) displayed balance by getting goals from three different players: Sadie McConnell (New Enterprise, PA/Northern Bedford), Kierra Irwin (Altoona, PA/Altoona), and Rylee Duck (Mifflintown, PA/Juniata).

The Lady Lions' defensive efforts were led by goalkeeper Riley Barrett (Sunbury, PA/Shikellamy), who allowed only one goal while making nine saves to record her team-leading fourth win of the season.

Penn College (10-4) scored the game's first goal at 20:54. Dominique Brown sent a long pass upfield from the right sideline, and it was taken by Kaelan Cronan, who dribbled into the box and scored to put the Wildcats up 1-0.

But Penn State Altoona tied the score just under eight minutes later. Duck maneuvered through the Penn College defense at the edge of the box and chipped a pass forward, where McConnell took it and slipped a shot past the goalkeeper at 28:21 to make it 1-1. The goal was McConnell's team-high 10th of the season, while Duck's assist represented her first collegiate point.

The Lady Lions tacked on another goal before halftime to grab their first lead of the evening. After taking a pass from Emershaw on the right side of the field, Irwin juked past a defender at the right edge of the box before placing a shot into the top shelf of the goal at 32:07 to put Penn State Altoona on top 2-1.

Barrett made four saves during the second half to help preserve Penn State Altoona's one-goal lead. However, the Lady Lions were able to come up with an important insurance goal late in the second period to make it a two-goal cushion.

Duck scored her first collegiate goal at 81:52, firing McConnell's corner kick past the Penn College keeper to extend the Lady Lions' advantage to 3-1.

Penn State Altoona led Penn College 19-15 in total shots, while shots on goal were tied 10-10. Corner kicks were also even between the two teams, 4-4.

McConnell led all players on the night with five shots on goal and tied for the game-high in total shots attempted with six. Duck had three shots on goal and totaled four shots, and Irwin put two shots on goal with a total of four shots. Emershaw added three total shots attempted.

Lady Lions soccer returns to Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference play for its next game this Saturday, October 20. That day, Penn State Altoona hosts Hilbert College at 1:00 p.m. in the Lady Lions' final regular season home game. It also marks the occasion of the team's Senior Day ceremony.