LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The Lock Haven University women's soccer team (1-0) came from behind in the second half to beat the University of Pitt-Johnstown (0-1) by a score of 2-1 in their return to action. The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) crossover battle took place on a pristine day a Hubert Jack Stadium, fitting of The Haven's return to the fall season.
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For the first time since 2019, head coach
Maggie Kuhn led the Bald Eagles out onto the pitch for a showdown with Pitt-Johnstown. The Mountain Cats grabbed a 1-0 lead with just two minutes remaining in the first half as Katelyn Rudy fired a shot from over thirty yards out which flew into the top corner.
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The second half was all Bald Eagles and under a minute into the period sophomore
Eva Stoessel (Grantville, Pa./Lower Dauphin) collected a ball inside box and slammed the ball past the goalkeeper to tie the game at 1-1. LHU fed off the momentum and just minutes later freshman
Hunter McClellan (Grantville Summit, Pa./Troy) capitalized off a bouncing ball from a corner kick and put it away cleanly for the 2-1 lead which the Bald Eagles held till the full-time whistle.
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Goalkeeper
Kylie Auman (Centre Hall, Pa./Penns Valley Area) was forced into only one save as The Haven backline led by senior captain
Taylor Moritz (Harleysville, Pa./Soudertown Area High) held the Mountain Cats in check.
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The trio of Moritz,
Leah Jensen (Harrisburg,Pa./Susquehanna Twp.(Concord)) and
Sydney Cauffman (Millerstown, Pa./Greenwood (Shepherd)) played the full 90 minutes on defense and kept Pitt-Johnstown to just two shots on goal.
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The Bald Eagles return to action was highlighted by the injection of fresh talent into the lineup as Coach Kuhn started eight players who were not a member of the 2019 squad. Notably, both goals were scored by members of the 2020 and 2021 recruiting classes.
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Next Up:
LHU travels to California (Pa.) on Saturday (September 4). Kick-off is scheduled for 3 p.m. vs. the Vulcans.