LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The Lock Haven women's soccer (3-0-1, 1-0-1 PSAC East) team battled to a hard-fought 0-0 tie with visiting Mansfield (1-2-1, 0-2-1 PSAC East) tonight in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division action.
Lock Haven entered tonight's match ranked No. 7 in Division II's Atlantic Region by the United Soccer Coaches. This marks the third straight game where Lock Haven hasn't surrendered a goal, and overall, the Bald Eagles haven't given up a goal since the first half of the season opener.
At halftime, the two teams were deadlocked at 0-0. Visiting Mansfield held a 3-1 advantage in first-half shots. Two of those three shots were on target and forced saves from Lock Haven's Megan Miller (Wexford, Pa./North Allegheny), the reigning PSAC East Defensive Player of the Week.
Overall, Miller and the Bald Eagles haven't given up a goal in over 317 minutes of action.
After a scoreless first half the host Bald Eagles picked up the pace in the early moments of the second half and created several strong scoring changes. Mansfield's Samantha Merklin was forced to make a tough save in those early second-half minutes.
Lock Haven nearly took the lead in the 72nd minute of play, but Mansfield's Taylor Luckenbill cleared Evelyn Ciaccia's (Fairless Hills, Pa./Pennsbury) shot off the goal line which prevented the Bald Eagle goal and kept the match knotted at 0-0. In the 78th minute, Lock Haven was at it again and after a brilliant run by Avery Landrum (Laureldale, Pa./Muhlenberg), her shot just slipped by the far post, and wide as the game remained scoreless.
With six minutes to play, Josie Swartz (Mifflintown, Pa./Juniata) had her shot cleared off the goal line. This time it was Mansfield's Olivia Hudson who was up to the task as this helped shut the game down to end in a scoreless tie.
Leana Cuzzocrea (Mars, Pa./Mars Area) and Swartz turned in a strong all-around effort and played well in the midfield for The Haven.
Up Next: Lock Haven will next hit the road for a PSAC East match at No. 20 West Chester scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 10 at 3:30 p.m.
