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Box Score
CALIFORNIA (Oct. 30) – Led by a last-minute goal by junior
Haley Henderson (Pickering, Ontario/Dunbarton), the No. 7 Vulcans edged out No. 22 Shippensburg 1-0 to clinch their third-consecutive Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) regular-season title Wednesday evening at the Phillipsburg Soccer Facility.
The win improves the California University of Pennsylvania women's soccer team to 14-2-1 overall and 14-1 in PSAC play. By clinching the PSAC regular-season title the Vulcans will now have hosting rights for the conference tournament beginning Tuesday, Nov. 5. Meanwhile, the Raiders fall to 10-5 in the PSAC and 11-5 overall.
Cal U controlled play throughout the first half and held Shippensburg without a shot attempt. The Vulcans' best opportunity to score came nine minutes into the match when senior
Kelsey Russo (Pittsburgh, Pa./Fox Chapel) lifted a shot from inside the goal box high over the net.
Both teams exchanged scoring opportunities in the second half with junior goalkeeper
Ashley Magruda (Belle Vernon, Pa./Belle Vernon) earning a huge save on a Shippensburg shot from inside the goal box on a potential breakaway. The Vulcans finally broke through with less that four minutes left in the match when Henderson attempted a shot, controlled the rebound and snuck the ball inside the left corner of the goal to give Cal U the lead. The Vulcans controlled the final three minutes of the match to earn the PSAC regular-season crown.
Magruda earned the win in goal for the Vulcans, her eighth of the season, while making one save.
The majority of the game was played on Shippensburg side of the field, but both of the Raiders' shot attempts were potential goals. After Magruda stopped the first Raider shot, a second shot from inside the goal box less than five minutes before Henderson's goal sailed high over an open net. Cal U out-shot Shippensburg 18-2 for the match and held an 8-0 advantage in corner kicks.
The Vulcans conclude the regular season when they travel to Millersville for a 7:30 p.m. match on Saturday, Nov. 2.
