CALIFORNIA, Pa. (Sept. 5) – The California University of Pennsylvania women's soccer team conceded three goals in the opening 17 minutes on Wednesday night at Phillipsburg Soccer Facility before falling 3-1 versus Pitt-Johnstown in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) action.
With the loss, the Vulcans drop to 1-2 overall behind a 0-2 mark in league action. Meanwhile, the Mountain Cats improve to 2-1 this season with an identical conference record after registering three goals in back-to-back matches.
Pitt-Johnstown put immediate pressure on the Cal U defense, producing a scoring chance in the opening minute of the contest. The Mountain Cats broke through in the 11th minute after a shot by freshman Emily Esser hit the post before sophomore Abby LaDuke rebounded the ball and scored to give UPJ a 1-0 lead. Just four minutes later, Pitt-Johnstown fired a corner kick into the box and scored on a deflection off a header to take a 2-0 lead with the goal being scored by redshirt freshman Kacey Sullinger while LaDuke and junior Kyra Watkins tallied assists. UPJ found the back of the net at the 16:50-mark to increase the lead after Esser scored into the top right corner of the net with Laduke notching another assist. The Vulcans responded in the 22nd minute with sophomore
Carilyn Pasierb (Chambersburg, Pa./Chambersburg) blasting a free kick into the top left corner of the net from 30 yards out to trim the deficit to 3-1. Following the goal, freshman goalkeeper
Carly Gobbie (Glassport, Pa./South Allegheny) entered the game to make her collegiate debut for junior
Reilly McGlumphy (Venetia, Pa./Peters Township). Heading into the break, Pitt-Johnstown held an 8-6 advantage in shots.
In the second half, offensive opportunities were limited for both teams with few scoring chances being presented. Cal U had a chance to cut into the lead in the 70th minute when a shot by freshman
Bethany Decker (Carlisle, Pa./Boiling Springs) off a corner kick from classmate
Hannah Burgess (Massillon, Ohio/Jackson) was saved. The Mountain Cats held the defensive line over the final 20 minutes to secure the victory.
McGlumphy made her first career start between the post and made one save in 22 minutes of action. Gobbie played the final 68:08 minutes of the match and collected two saves on Thursday.
The Mountain Cats finished with a slight 11-10 shot advantage, while the Vulcans held a 4-2 edge in corner kicks in the contest.
Cal U returns to action on Saturday, Sept. 8, when it hosts Bloomsburg at Phillipsburg Soccer Facility, starting at 2 p.m.
