by Casey Burinskas

HAMBURG, N.Y. – The Penn State Altoona women's soccer team played its first road game since September 7 on Saturday, when the Lions came away with a 2-1 win over Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference opponent Hilbert College at Hawk Field.

Mallorie Smith (Bellefonte, PA/Bellefonte) scored her first two goals of the season for Penn State Altoona (2-6-2, 2-0-1 AMCC), and Taylor Frederick (Mifflinburg, PA/Mifflinburg) recorded two assists. The Lions led 2-0 after the first half, then held on to outlast Hilbert (1-11, 1-3 AMCC) for a one-goal victory.

Quickly into the first half of the game, Altoona was able to land a goal when Smith scored her first of the season at 6:35, with an assist from Frederick. Later in the half, at 23:28, Smith and Frederick teamed up again, as Smith scored her second goal to give the Lions a 2-0 lead.

In the second half, the Lions were able to hold off Hilbert until 86:23, when the Hawks got a goal from Novalee Schlenker to cut the Altoona lead to 2-1. But the Lions closed out the game to finish with a one-goal win in the AMCC matchup.

Smith had a game-high eight shots attempted and four shots on goal. Frederick attempted four shots, Amanda Hazel (Clearfield, PA/Clearfield) had two shots on goal, and Emilee Roman (Davidsville, PA/Conemaugh Township) had three shots attempted with one shot on goal. Sophia Nelson (Bellwood, PA/Bellwood-Antis) also had a shot on goal.

Adeline Baustert (Apollo, PA/Apollo-Ridge) started her 11th game of the season at goalkeeper for Penn State Altoona and made one save in her second victory of the season.

Penn State Altoona finished with lopsided advantages over Hilbert in shots attempted (21-3), shots on goal (8-2), and corner kicks (3-0).

Next on the radar, the Penn State Altoona women's soccer team will take on AMCC opponent Penn State Behrend at home on Saturday, October 19, at 3:15 p.m.